Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1171 of 7 August 2020 implementing Article 17(3) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic
Date: 2020-08-07
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Central African Republic, EU restrictive measure, economic sanctions, international sanctions, natural person








L_2020260EN.01000101.xml










10.8.2020   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 260/1








            COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/1171
of 7 August 2020
         
implementing Article 17(3) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,


Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 of 10 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic (1), and in particular Article 17(3) thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 10 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 224/2014.












(2)


On 28 July 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Committee established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2127 (2013) updated the information relating to six persons subject to restrictive measures.












(3)


Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:



Article 1
Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.


Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 7 August 2020.


For the Council


The President

M. ROTH
            





(1)  
            OJ L 70, 11.3.2014, p. 1.




ANNEX
In Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014, entries 1, 4, 5, 7, 12 and 13 are replaced by the following entries:

‘1.   Francois Yangouvonda BOZIZÉ (alias : a) Bozize Yangouvonda b) Samuel Peter Mudde (born 16 December 1948, in Izo South Sudan)
Title: a) Former Head of State Central African Republic b) Professor
Date of Birth: a) 14 October 1946 b) 16 December 1948
            
Place of Birth: a) Mouila, Gabon b) Izo, South Sudan
Nationality: a) Central African Republic b) South Sudan
Passport no: D00002264, issued on 11 June 2013 (issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Juba, South Sudan. Expires on 11 June 2017. Diplomatic passport issued under name Samuel Peter Mudde)
National identification no: M4800002143743 (Personal number on passport)
Address: a) Uganda b) Bangui, Central African Republic (since his return from Uganda in December 2019)
Date of UN designation: 9 May 2014
            
Other information: Mother’s name is Martine Kofio. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
Bozize was listed on 9 May 2014 pursuant to paragraph 36 of resolution 2134 (2014) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of CAR’.

Additional information

In liaison with his supporters, Bozize encouraged the attack of 5 December 2013 on Bangui. Since then, he has continued trying to run destabilization operations in order to maintain tensions in the capital of CAR. Bozize reportedly created the anti-Balaka militia group before he fled the CAR on March 24, 2013. In a communique, Bozize called on his militia to pursue the atrocities against the current regime and the Islamists. Bozize reportedly provided financial and material support to militiamen who are working to destabilize the ongoing transition and to bring Bozize back to power. The bulk of the anti-Balaka are from the Central African Armed Forces who dispersed into the countryside after the coup d'état and were subsequently reorganized by Bozize. Bozize and his supporters control more than half the anti-Balaka units.
Forces loyal to Bozize were armed with assault rifles, mortars and rocket-launchers and they have become increasingly involved in reprisal attacks against CAR's Muslim population. The situation in CAR deteriorated rapidly after the December 5, 2013, attack in Bangui by anti-Balaka forces that left over 700 people dead.
4.   Alfred YEKATOM (alias: a) Alfred Yekatom Saragba b) Alfred Ekatom c) Alfred Saragba d) Colonel Rombhot e) Colonel Rambo f) Colonel Rambot g) Colonel Rombot h) Colonel Romboh)
Designation: Chief Corporal of the Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA)
Date of birth: 23 June 1976
            
Place of birth: Central African Republic
Nationality: Central African Republic
Address: a) Mbaiki, Lobaye Province, Central African Republic (Tel. +236 72 15 47 07 / +236 75 09 43 41) b) Bimbo, Ombella-Mpoko province, Central African Republic (previous location) c) The Hague (since his transfer to the International Criminal Court on 17 November 2018)
Date of UN designation: 20 August 2015
            
Other information: Has controlled and commanded a large group of armed militia men. Father’s name (adoptive father) is Ekatom Saragba (also spelled Yekatom Saragba). Brother of Yves Saragba, an anti-Balaka commander in Batalimo, Lobaye province, and a former FACA soldier. Physical description: eye colour: black; hair colour: bold; complexion: black; height: 170cm; weight: 100kg.
Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
Alfred Yekatom was listed on 20 August 2015 pursuant to paragraph 11 of Resolution 2196 (2015) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR, including acts that threaten or violate transitional agreements, or that threaten or impede the political transition process, including a transition toward free and fair democratic elections, or that fuel violence’.

Additional information:

Alfred Yekatom, also known as Colonel Rombhot, is a militia leader of a faction of the anti-Balakas movement, known as the ‘anti-Balaka from the South’. He has held the rank of Chief Corporal in the Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA — Central African Republic armed forces).
Yekatom has engaged in and provided support for acts that undermine the peace, stability and security of the Central African Republic, including acts that threaten transitional agreements, and that threaten the political transition process. Yekatom has controlled and commanded a large group of armed militiamen with presence in the neighbourhood of PK9 in Bangui, and in the towns of Bimbo (Ombella-Mpoko province), Cekia, Pissa, and Mbaïki (capital of the Lobaye province), and had established his head-quarters in a forestry concession in Batalimo.
Yekatom has been in direct control of a dozen checkpoints manned by an average of ten armed militia men wearing army uniforms and carrying weapons, including military assault rifles, from the main bridge between Bimbo and Bangui to Mbaïki (Lobaye province), and from Pissa to Batalimo (next to the border with the Republic of Congo), collecting unauthorized taxes from private vehicles and motorcycles, passenger vans and trucks exporting forestry resources to Cameroon and Chad, but also from boats navigating on the Oubangui river. Yekatom has been observed personally collecting part of these unauthorized taxes. Yekatom and his militia have also reportedly killed civilians.
5   Habib SOUSSOU (alias: Soussou Abib)
Designation: a) Coordinator of anti-Balaka for Lobaye province b) Master-corporal of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA)
Date of birth: 13 March 1980
            
Place of birth: Central African Republic
Nationality: Central African Republic
Address: Boda, Central African Republic (Tel. +236 72198628)
            
Date of UN designation: 20 August 2015
            
Other information: Appointed as anti-balaka zone commander (COMZONE) of Boda on 11 April 2014 and on 28 June 2014, for the entire Lobaye Province. Under his command, targeted killings, clashes and attacks against humanitarian organizations and aid workers have continued to take place. Physical description: eye colour: brown; hair colour: black; height: 160cm; weight: 60kg. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
Habib Soussou was listed on 20 August 2015 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 12 (b) and (e) of Resolution 2196 (2015) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR, including acts that threaten or violate transitional agreements, or that threaten or impede the political transition process, including a transition toward free and fair democratic elections, or that fuel violence’; ‘involved in planning, directing, or committing acts that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations, in the CAR, including acts involving sexual violence, targeting of civilians, ethnic- or religious-based attacks, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abduction and forced displacement’ and; ‘obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the CAR, or access to, or distribution of, humanitarian assistance in the CAR’.

Additional information:

Habib Soussou was appointed as anti-Balaka zone commander (COMZONE) of Boda on 11 April 2014, and he has claimed that he was therefore responsible for the security situation in the sous- préfecture. On 28 June 2014, general coordinator of the anti-Balaka Patrice Edouard Ngaïssona appointed Habib Soussou as provincial coordinator for the town of Boda since 11 April 2014 and since 28 June 2014 for the entire province of Lobaye. Targeted killings, clashes and attacks by anti-Balaka in Boda against humanitarian organizations and aid workers have occurred on a weekly basis in areas for which Soussou is the anti-Balaka commander or coordinator. Soussous and the anti-Balaka forces in these areas have also targeted and threatened to target civilians.
7   Haroun GAYE (alias: a) Haroun Geye b) Aroun Gaye c) Aroun Geye)
Designation: Rapporteur of the political coordination of the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de Centrafrique (FPRC)
Date of birth: a) 30 January 1968 b) 30 January 1969
            
Passport no: Central African Republic number O00065772 (letter O followed by 3 zeros), expires 30 December 2019)
Address: a) Bangui, Central African Republic b) Ndélé, Bamingui-Bangoran
            
Date of UN designation: 17 December 2015
            
Other information: Gaye is a leader of the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de Centrafrique (FPRC) (not listed) a marginalized ex-Seleka armed group in Bangui. He is also a leader of the so-called “Defense Committee” of Bangui’s PK5 (known as PK5 Resistance’ or ‘Texas’) (not listed), which extorts money from residents and threatens and employs physical violence. Gaye was appointed on 2 November 2014 by Nourredine Adam (CFi.002) as rapporteur of the political coordination of the FPRC. On 9 May 2014, the Security Council Committee established by resolution 2127 (2013) on CAR included Adam on its sanctions list. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
Haroun Gaye was listed on 17 December 2015 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 12(b) and (f) of Resolution 2196 (2015) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR’; ‘involved in planning, directing, or committing acts that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations, in the CAR, including acts involving sexual violence, targeting of civilians, ethnic- or religious-based attacks, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abduction and forced displacement’; and ‘involved in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against UN missions or international security presences, including Minusca, the European Union missions and French operations which support them’.

Additional information:

Haroun Gaye has been, since early 2014, one of the leaders of an armed group operating in the PK5 neighbourhood in Bangui. Civil Society representatives of the PK5 neighbourhood state that Gaye and his armed group are fuelling the conflict in Bangui, opposing the reconciliation and preventing movements of population to and from the third district of Bangui. On 11 May 2015, Gaye and 300 demonstrators blocked access to the National Transitional Council to disrupt the final day of the Bangui Forum. Gaye is reported to have collaborated with anti-Balaka officials to coordinate the disruption.
On 26 June 2015, Gaye and a small entourage disrupted the opening of a voter registration drive in Bangui's PK5 neighbourhood, causing the registration drive to close.
Minusca attempted to arrest Gaye on 2 August 2015, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 32(f)(i) of the Security Council Resolution 2217 (2015). Gaye, who was reportedly informed of the arrest attempt in advance, was ready with supporters armed with heavy weaponry. Gaye's forces opened fire on the Minusca Joint Task Force. In a seven-hour firefight, Gaye's men employed firearms, and rocket-propelled and hand grenades against Minusca troops and killed one peacekeeper and injured eight. Gaye was involved in encouraging violent protests and clashes in late September 2015 in what appears to have been a coup attempt to overthrow the Transitional Government. The coup attempt was likely led by former president Bozize's supporters in an alliance of convenience with Gaye and other FPRC leaders. It appears that Gaye aimed to create a cycle of retaliatory attacks that would threaten the upcoming elections. Gaye was in charge of coordination with marginalised elements of the anti-Balaka.
On 1 October 2015, a meeting took place in the PK5 neighbourhood between Eugène Barret Ngaïkosset, a member of a marginalised anti-Balaka group and Gaye, with the aim of planning a joint attack on Bangui on Saturday 3 October. Gaye's group prevented people inside the PK5 neighbourhood from leaving it, in order to reinforce the communal identity of the Muslim population to exacerbate inter-ethnic tensions and avoid reconciliation. On 26 October 2015, Gaye and his group interrupted a meeting between the Archbishop of Bangui and the Imam of the Central Mosque of Bangui, and threatened the delegation which had to retreat from the Central Mosque and flee the PK5 neighbourhood.
12   Abdoulaye HISSENE (alias : a) Abdoulaye Issène b) Abdoulaye Hissein c) Hissene Abdoulaye d) Abdoulaye Issène Ramadane e) Abdoulaye Issene Ramadan f) Issene Abdoulaye)
Title: President of the Conseil National de Défense et de Sécurité (CNDS) and military leader of the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de la Centrafrique
Designation: “general”
            
Date of birth: a) 1967 b) 1 January 1967
            
Place of birth: a) Ndele, Bamingui-Bangoran, Central African Republic b) Haraze Mangueigne, Chad
Nationality: a) Central African Republic b) Chad
Passport no: a) CAR diplomatic passport no. D00000897, issued on 5 Apr. 2013 (valid until 4 April 2018) b) CAR diplomatic passport no. D00004262, issued on 11 March 2014 (expires on 10 March 2019)
National identification no: Chad national identity card no. 103-00653129-22, issued on 21 Apr. 2009 (expires on 21 April 2019)
Address: a) KM5, Bangui, Central African Republic b) Nana-Grebizi, Central African Republic c) Ndjari, Ndjamena, Chad d) Ndélé, Bamingui-Bangoran (main location since August 2016)
Date of UN designation: 17 May 2017
            
Other information: Hissène was formerly the Minister of Youth and Sports as part of the Cabinet for the Central African Republic’s former President Michel Djotodia. Prior to that, he was the head of the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace, a political party. He also established himself as a leader of armed militias in Bangui, in particular in the “PK5” (3rd district) neighborhood. In October 2016, Abdoulaye Hissène was appointed President of the Conseil National de Défense et de Sécurité, a body which was created at the time to gather military leaders and commanding fighters from all ex-Séléka factions. He has remained in this position since then, but has actual control over FPRC fighters only. Father’s name is Abdoulaye. Mother’s name is Absita Moussa. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOLUN Security Council Special Notice web link:
https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
Abdoulaye Hissène was listed on 17 May 2017 pursuant to paragraphs 16 and 17(g) of resolution 2339 (2017) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR, including acts that threaten or impede the political transition process, or the stabilisation and reconciliation process or that fuel violence;’ and ‘involved in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against UN missions or international security presences, including MINUSCA, the European Union Missions and French operations which support them.’
            

Additional information:

Abdoulaye Hissène and other members of the ex-Séléka collaborated with anti-balaka spoilers allied with former Central African Republic (CAR) President François Bozizé, including Maxime Mokom, to encourage violent protests and clashes in September 2015 as part of a failed coup attempt to bring down the Government while then-Transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza was attending the 2015 UN General Assembly. Mokom, Hissène, and others were indicted by the CAR government for various criminal offenses, including murder, arson, torture, and looting, stemming from the failed coup.
Since 2015, Hissène had become one of the main leaders of armed militias located in the ‘PK5’ neighbourhood of Bangui which comprised more than 100 men. As such, he prevented the freedom of movement and the return of state authority in the area, including through illegal taxation of transportation and commercial activities. In the second half of 2015, Hissène acted as the representative of the ex-Séléka ‘Nairobists’ in Bangui operating in a rapprochement with anti-balaka fighters under Mokom. Armed men under the control of Haroun Gaye and Hissène participated in the violent events which took place in Bangui between 26 September and 3 October 2015.
Members of Hissène's group are suspected of having been involved in an attack on the 13 December 2015 — the day of the constitutional referendum — on the vehicle of Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, a leader of the ex-Séléka. Hissène is accused of orchestrating violence in Bangui's KM5 district that killed five, wounded twenty, and prevented residents from voting in the constitutional referendum. Hissène put the elections at risk by creating a cycle of retaliatory attacks between different groups.
On 15 March 2016, Hissène was apprehended by the police at Bangui M'poko airport and transferred to the research and investigation section of the national gendarmerie. His militia subsequently released him, using force, and stole one weapon previously handed over by MINUSCA as part of an exemption request approved by the Committee.
On 19 June 2016, following the arrest of Muslim traders by internal security forces at ‘PK 12’, militias of Gaye and Hissène kidnapped five national policemen in Bangui. On 20 June, MINUSCA attempted to release the policemen. Armed men under the control of Hissène and Gaye exchanged fire with the peacekeepers attempting to release the hostages. As a result, at least six individuals were killed and one peacekeeper was injured.
On 12 August 2016, Hissène took the lead of a 6-vehicle convoy with heavily armed individuals. The convoy, which was fleeing Bangui, was intercepted by MINUSCA south of Sibut. En route to the North, the convoy exchanged fire with internal security forces at several checkpoints. The convoy was eventually stopped by MINUSCA 40 km south of Sibut. After multiple gunfights, MINUSCA captured 11 of the men, but Hissène and several others escaped. Individuals arrested indicated to MINUSCA that Hissène was the leader of the convoy whose objective was to reach Bria and participate in the Assembly of ex-Séléka groups organised by Nourredine Adam.
In August and September 2016, the Panel of Experts travelled twice to Sibut in order to inspect the belongings of the convoy of Hissène, Gaye and Hamit Tidjani, seized by MINUSCA on 13 August. The Panel also inspected the ammunition seized in the house of Hissène on 16 August. Lethal and non-lethal military equipment was recovered in the six vehicles and from the apprehended individuals. On 16 August 2016, the Central Gendarmerie raided the home of Hissène in Bangui. More than 700 weapons were found.
On 4 September 2016, a group of ex-Séléka elements coming from Kaga-Bandoro on six motor-bikes to pick up Hissène and his affiliates opened fire against MINUSCA next to Dékoa. During this incident, one ex-Séléka fighter was killed, and two peacekeepers and one civilian were wounded.
13.   Martin KOUMTAMADJI (alias: a) Abdoulaye Miskine b) Abdoullaye Miskine c) Martin Nadingar Koumtamadji d) Martin Nkoumtamadji e) Martin Koumta Madji f) Omar Mahamat)
Designation: President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC)
Date of birth: a) 5 October 1965 b) 3 March 1965
            
Place of birth: a) Ndïnaba, Chad b) Kobo, Central African Republic c) Kabo, Central African Republic
Nationality: a) Chad b) Central African Republic c) Congo
Passport no: a) CAR diplomatic passport no. 06FBO2262, issued on 22 February 2007 (expired on 21 February 2012) b) Congo service passport number SA0020249 , issued on 22 January 2019 (expires on 21 January 2022)
Address: a) Am Dafock, Vakaga prefecture, Central African Republic b) Ndjamena, Chad (since his arrest in November 2019)
Date of UN designation: 20 April 2020
            
Other information: Martin Koumtamadji founded the FDPC in 2005. He joined the Séléka coalition in December 2012 before leaving it in April 2013 after the rebels took power in Bangui. After being arrested in Cameroon, he was then transferred to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. He always remained in command of his troops on the ground in the CAR even when he was in Brazzaville before returning to the CAR (between November 2014 and 2019). The FDPC signed the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR on 6 February 2019 but Martin Koumtamadji remains a threat to the peace, stability and security of the CAR. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals
Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:
President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC, an armed group engaged in violent activities), Martin Koumatamadji has engaged in acts threatening the peace, stability and security of the CAR and, in particular, the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR signed on 6 February 2019 in Bangui.
He refused the disarmament of FDPC combatants, as per his commitments as a signatory of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, and threatened to overthrow President Touadéra in July 2019.
He began cooperating with sanctioned individual Nourredine Adam (CFi.002) in June 2019 and engaged in arms trafficking with a close associate of Nourredine Adam, in order to build up the military capabilities of the FDPC.
He also made an offer to the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) to carry out a military operation with his armed group during the fighting in Vakaga prefecture in 2019.
He continued to impede the restoration of state authority in the areas of operation of the FPDC by maintaining illegal roadblocks to extort cattle herders, economic actors (including gold mining companies operating in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture), and travellers.
Under his leadership, the FDPC committed acts that constituted human rights abuses or violations in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, including attacks directed against civilians in April 2019, abductions of civilians in March 2019 (near Zoukombo) and acts of sexual and gender-based violence in May 2019 (in Bagary). In 2017, the FDPC also committed 14 acts of sexual violence in conflict.
Between 2016 and 2019, the FDPC recruited children to serve as soldiers in armed conflict and forced eleven girls into marriage with FDPC members.
In March 2019, he was involved in obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid when the FDPC, under Miskine’s leadership, conducted a series of attacks on the main road into Bangui from Cameroon.
Finally, FDPC elements skirmished with MINUSCA in April 2019 near Zoukombo (Nana-Mambéré prefecture) and on the Bouar-Beleko axis.’