Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/757Show full title

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/757

of 13 May 2019

implementing Article 17(3) of Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 of 10 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic(1), and in particular Article 17(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 10 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 224/2014.

(2) On 18 April 2019, the United Nations Security Council Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2127 (2013) updated the information relating to one person subject to restrictive measures.

(3) Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 is hereby amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 May 2019.

For the Council

The President

F. Mogherini

ANNEX

In Regulation (EU) No 224/2014, Annex I, Part A (Persons), the entry for the person listed below is replaced by the following entry:

‘12. Abdoulaye HISSENE (alias: a) Abdoulaye Issène; b) Abdoulaye Hissein; c) Hissene Abdoulaye; d) Abdoulaye Issène Ramadane; e) Abdoulaye Issene Ramadan; f) Issene Abdoulaye)

Date of birth: a) 1967; b) 1 January 1967

Place of birth: a) Ndele, Bamingui-Bangoran, Central African Republic; b) Haraze Mangueigne, Chad

Nationality: a) Central African Republic; b) Chad

Passport No: CAR diplomatic passport No D00000897, issued on 5 April 2013 (valid until 4 April 2018)

National identification no: Chad national identity card no. 103-00653129-22, issued on 21 April 2009 (expires on 21 April 2019)

Address: a) KM5, Bangui, Central African Republic; b) Nana-Grebizi, Central African Republic; c) Ndjari, Ndjamena, Chad

Date of UN designation:17 May 2017

Other Information: Hissène was formerly the Minister of Youth and Sports as part of the Cabinet for the Central African Republic's former President Michel Djotodia. Prior to that, he was the head of the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace, a political party. He also established himself as a leader of armed militias in Bangui, in particular in the “PK5” (3rd district) neighbourhood. Father's name is Abdoulaye. Mother's name is Absita Moussa. Photo available for inclusion in the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/notice/search/un/6098910

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

Abdoulaye Hissène was listed on 17 May 2017 pursuant to paragraphs 16 and 17(g) of resolution 2339 (2017) 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 political transition process, or the stabilisation and reconciliation process or that fuel violence;” and “involved in planning, directing, sponsoring, or conducting attacks against UN missions or international security presences, including MINUSCA, the European Union Missions and French operations which support them.”

Additional information:

Abdoulaye Hissène and other members of the ex-Séléka collaborated with anti-balaka spoilers allied with former Central African Republic (CAR) President François Bozizé, including Maxime Mokom, to encourage violent protests and clashes in September 2015 as part of a failed coup attempt to bring down the Government while then-Transitional President Catherine Samba-Panza was attending the 2015 UN General Assembly. Mokom, Hissène, and others were indicted by the CAR government for various criminal offenses, including murder, arson, torture, and looting, stemming from the failed coup.

Since 2015, Hissène had become one of the main leaders of armed militias located in the “PK5” neighbourhood of Bangui which comprised more than 100 men. As such, he prevented the freedom of movement and the return of state authority in the area, including through illegal taxation of transportation and commercial activities. In the second half of 2015, Hissène acted as the representative of the ex-Séléka “Nairobists” in Bangui operating in a rapprochement with anti-balaka fighters under Mokom. Armed men under the control of Haroun Gaye and Hissène participated in the violent events which took place in Bangui between 26 September and 3 October 2015.

Members of Hissène's group are suspected of having been involved in an attack on the 13 December 2015 — the day of the constitutional referendum — on the vehicle of Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane, a leader of the ex-Séléka. Hissène is accused of orchestrating violence in Bangui's KM5 district that killed five, wounded twenty, and prevented residents from voting in the constitutional referendum. Hissène put the elections at risk by creating a cycle of retaliatory attacks between different groups.

On 15 March 2016, Hissène was apprehended by the police at Bangui M'poko airport and transferred to the research and investigation section of the national gendarmerie. His militia subsequently released him, using force, and stole one weapon previously handed over by MINUSCA as part of an exemption request approved by the Committee.

On 19 June 2016, following the arrest of Muslim traders by internal security forces at “PK 12”, militias of Gaye and Hissène kidnapped five national policemen in Bangui. On 20 June, MINUSCA attempted to release the policemen. Armed men under the control of Hissène and Gaye exchanged fire with the peacekeepers attempting to release the hostages. As a result, at least six individuals were killed and one peacekeeper was injured.

On 12 August 2016, Hissène took the lead of a 6-vehicle convoy with heavily armed individuals. The convoy, which was fleeing Bangui, was intercepted by MINUSCA south of Sibut. En route to the North, the convoy exchanged fire with internal security forces at several checkpoints. The convoy was eventually stopped by MINUSCA 40 km south of Sibut. After multiple gunfights, MINUSCA captured 11 of the men, but Hissène and several others escaped. Individuals arrested indicated to MINUSCA that Hissène was the leader of the convoy whose objective was to reach Bria and participate in the Assembly of ex-Séléka groups organised by Nourredine Adam.

In August and September 2016, the Panel of Experts travelled twice to Sibut in order to inspect the belongings of the convoy of Hissène, Gaye and Hamit Tidjani, seized by MINUSCA on 13 August. The Panel also inspected the ammunition seized in the house of Hissène on 16 August. Lethal and non-lethal military equipment was recovered in the six vehicles and from the apprehended individuals. On 16 August 2016, the Central Gendarmerie raided the home of Hissène in Bangui. More than 700 weapons were found.

On 4 September 2016, a group of ex-Séléka elements coming from Kaga-Bandoro on six motor-bikes to pick up Hissène and his affiliates opened fire against MINUSCA next to Dékoa. During this incident, one ex-Séléka fighter was killed, and two peacekeepers and one civilian were wounded.’

(1)

OJ L 70, 11.3.2014, p. 1.