Urges UN members to freeze his assets
Admin l Saturday, August 08, 2020
WASHINGTON – The United States has imposed sanctions on Central African Republic militia leader of Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation(3R), Bi Sidi Souleymane also known as Sidiki Abbas.
In a statement, Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo said Sidiki Abbas committed numerous human rights abuses and displaced thousands of people in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2015 as leader of Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation (3R).
“On September 27, 2016, 3R raided the village of De Gaulle, killing at least 17 villagers, and raping women and girls. During and immediately after 3R’s raid on De Gaulle, 3R members and Souleymane himself tortured villagers. On May 21, 2019, 3R killed at least 34 unarmed civilians in three villages in northwest CAR’s Ouham-Pendé province, summarily executing adult males”, the statement added.
The statement added that Souleymane was designated for being responsible for the targeting of women, children, or civilians through the commission of acts of violence, abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on civilian, religious, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law. Moreover, Souleymane himself has directly perpetrated torture in CAR he said.
According to him, the United States supports the February 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic.
“This Agreement holds the best hope for a future free of violence and instability for Central Africans. This Agreement states that any violation is likely to expose the perpetrators to international sanctions”, Pompeo said, adding that in June 2020, 3R announced the suspension of its participation in the Agreement’s implementation.
He said the designation signals that the United States will not tolerate those who commit human rights abuses and will prevent such actors from benefiting from the U.S. financial system.
“Additionally, the corresponding UN sanctions obligate all UN Member States to impose an asset freeze and travel ban on Souleymane”, Pompeo said.
