Djotodia could face sanctions

Former CAR president Michel Djotodia is seen at Mpoko Bangui airport. File picture: Eric Feferberg

Former CAR president Michel Djotodia is seen at Mpoko Bangui airport. File picture: Eric Feferberg

Published Nov 26, 2014

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New York -

A UN panel is calling for targeted sanctions against former Central African Republic president Michel Djotodia, accused of trying to derail the political transition in Bangui, diplomats said on Tuesday.

Djotodia rose to power in March 2013 after his Seleka rebel movement overthrew longtime leader Francois Bozize, but he stepped down in January amid chaos in his country.

A panel of experts listed Djotodia, who lives in exile in Cotonou, among 15 individuals who should be punished for hampering peace efforts in the Central African Republic.

A UN sanctions committee is due to review the list that also includes military chiefs in the coming weeks and submit names to the Security Council, which would then decide on the measures.

But diplomats said it was unclear whether the council would move quickly on sanctions or opt instead for putting pressure on Djotodia to encourage co-operation from his rebel movement at talks in January.

The targeted sanctions would include a visa ban and an assets freeze.

The Central African Republic is struggling to recover from the coup that ousted Bozize and pushed the poor and unstable country into violence, pitting the country's Christian and Muslim populations against one another. - Sapa-AFP

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