Restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic

SUMMARY OF:

Decision 2013/798/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic

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

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION AND THE REGULATION?

They are part of the European Union’s (EU) common foreign and security policy (CFSP) toolbox, promoting the CFSP objectives by providing the legal basis for EU ‘sanctions’ in view of the situation in the Central African Republic.
They reinforce the general and complete arms embargo against the Central African Republic that the United Nations (UN) Security Council imposed on 5 December 2013, and which is in force until 31 July 2023.

KEY POINTS

The decision and the regulation, which have been amended numerous times:

ban:
- the sale, supply, transfer or export of weapons, ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts,
- the provision of technical and financial assistance, brokering services and other services related to military activities and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of arms and related military equipment of all types to any natural or legal person, entity or body in, or for use in, the Central African Republic;
freeze all funds and economic resources of individuals, companies and bodies identified by the UN Sanctions Committee as undermining peace, stability and security in the Central African Republic, acting in violation of the arms embargo, or involved in acts that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law (Annex I to the regulation);
prohibit any active involvement in trying to circumvent the sanctions;
request EU Member States to:
- register and dispose of (including through destruction) any banned weapons and equipment they discover,
- prevent individuals listed in Annex I from entering into or transiting through their territories,
- apply penalties for breaches of the sanctions,
- designate national authorities to implement the regulation (Annex II to the regulation).

Exemptions

The decision and regulation contain certain exemptions from the bans and restrictions, including notably:

assistance to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic and to UN Member States’ forces;
supplies of non-lethal equipment for humanitarian use and help to Central African Republic security forces;
protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets;
the release of certain frozen funds for legitimate purposes, such as meeting people’s basic needs, paying reasonable professional fees or reimbursing expenses.

The restrictive measures apply:

within the EU, including its airspace;
on board aircraft and vessels registered in the EU;
to EU nationals and businesses, both inside and outside EU territory;
to any individual or company doing business wholly or partly within the EU.

Humanitarian exemptions

Following United Nations Security Council Resolution 2664 (2022), Council Regulation (EU) 2023/331 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/338 introduce into EU law an exemption to the asset freeze measures for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs carried out by relevant humanitarian organisations.

FROM WHEN DO THE DECISION AND REGULATION APPLY?

Decision 2013/798/CFSP has applied since 24 December 2013.

Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 has applied since 11 March 2014.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

Central Africa and the EU (European External Action Service)
Delegation of the EU to Central African Republic (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision 2013/798/CFSP of 23 December 2013 concerning restrictive measures against the Central African Republic (OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, pp. 51–52).

Successive amendments to Decision 2013/798/CFSP have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 of 10 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic (OJ L 70, 11.3.2014, pp. 1–9).

See consolidated version.