Mahamat Adam, a 53-years-old merchant in the Birao market, northern Central African Republic, poses for a photograph on December 20, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP)
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday extended sanctions against the Central African Republic (CAR) for another year till Jan. 31, 2019.
The 15-member council unanimously adopted Resolution 2399 to extend for another year an arms embargo on the country.
The resolution decides that all UN member states shall continue to take the necessary measures to prevent the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materials to the CAR, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, spare parts, and technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance related to military activities.
It also decides to extend for another year a travel ban against individuals deemed responsible for destabilizing the country and an asset freeze against those individuals and entities designated by a sanctions committee.
A little girl fleeing, with her family, the threat of attacks on Betoko town, northwestern Central African Republic, poses for a photograph on December 27, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP)
The resolution demands necessary measures from UN member states to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the sanctions committee.
It calls upon the CAR government to enhance cooperation and information sharing with other states, and calls for international cooperation in this regard.
The resolution decides that the travel ban and asset freeze shall apply to the individuals and entities designated by the sanctions committee 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 stabilization and reconciliation process or acts that fuel violence.
The resolution also extends the mandate of a panel of experts on the CAR until Feb. 28, 2019, and expressed its intent to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding further extension no later than Jan. 31, 2019.
A member of the patrol of the Bangladeshi contingent of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) stands guard at the checkpoint in Baoro along the road between Bouar to Bangui on October 15, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP)
The resolution expresses particular concern about reports of illicit trafficking networks, which continue to fund and supply armed groups in the CAR, and encourages the panel of experts to devote special attention to this issue.
The CAR has been in civil war since 2012, which is being fought along religious and ethnic lines, primarily between anti-Balaka militia, mostly Christian, and Seleka groups, mainly Muslim.
