President Barack Obama has ordered sanctions against five top figures in the Central African Republic, including former president Francois Bozize and rebel leader Michel Djotodia.
Obama's executive order, issued Tuesday, says there has been a breakdown of law and order in the C.A.R., along with the recruitment of child soldiers and atrocities against civilians, including rape, kidnappings, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
All U.S. assets belonging to the five C.A.R. officials are frozen.
The United Nations also imposed sanctions on Bozize and two others earlier this week.
The C.A.R. sank into chaos last year when Muslim rebels led by Djotodia overthrew President Bozize, who has backed Christian militia reprisals against Muslim civilians.
The violence has killed more than 1,000 civilians and created a humanitarian disaster in the C.A.R.
Obama's executive order, issued Tuesday, says there has been a breakdown of law and order in the C.A.R., along with the recruitment of child soldiers and atrocities against civilians, including rape, kidnappings, and attacks on schools and hospitals.
All U.S. assets belonging to the five C.A.R. officials are frozen.
The United Nations also imposed sanctions on Bozize and two others earlier this week.
The C.A.R. sank into chaos last year when Muslim rebels led by Djotodia overthrew President Bozize, who has backed Christian militia reprisals against Muslim civilians.
The violence has killed more than 1,000 civilians and created a humanitarian disaster in the C.A.R.