US sanctions militia leader in CAR for 'serious' rights abuse

WASHINGTON

The US sanctioned a militia leader in the Central African Republic (CAR) for his alleged role in "serious human rights abuse," the Treasury Department said Friday.

Ali Darassa has been designated for abuses stemming from his leadership of the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) militia group, said the agency.

"UPC’s militants have killed, tortured, raped, and displaced thousands of people since 2014," it said in a statement.

Darassa has been linked to a November 2018 attack on a displacement camp in Alindao that left 112 villagers dead, including 19 children.

"Under Darassa’s leadership, the UPC militia has committed brutal atrocities against civilians," Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Andrea Gacki said in the statement.

She said the US will continue to target and expose human rights abusers, including those contributing to the humanitarian crisis in the CAR.

"As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of Darassa that are in or come within the United States or that are in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC," said the statement.