The U.S. has imposed sanctions against a rebel leader in the Central African Republic.
The Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement his office imposed sanctions on Bi Sidi Souleymane, leader of the Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation (3R) rebel group.
The statement added that the group is accused of committing numerous human rights abuses and displacing thousands in the troubled country since 2015.
It said the sanctions freeze the rebel leader’s assets and impose a travel ban on Souleymane, also known as Sidiki Abbas who directly perpetrated torture.
The statement also noted that the action 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.
The move by the U.S. follows similar sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council earlier this week.
Under Souleymane’s leadership, 3R also carried out campaigns of rape, arms trafficking and violence.
