Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Central African Republic

This executive order declares a national emergency and imposes targeted sanctions—including asset freezes and visa bans—on individuals and entities contributing to conflict, instability, and human rights abuses in the Central African Republic. It authorizes the Treasury and State Departments to designate persons involved in violence, child soldier recruitment, obstruction of humanitarian aid, illicit natural resource trafficking, or arms transfers related to the conflict.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 28387

Impact dates

Date TBD
Recurring and final reports to Congress on national emergency per NEA section 401(c) and IEEPA section 204(c)
May 13, 2014
Order effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time

Key directives

Block all property and interests in property of designated persons (Section 1)
Prohibit donations to designated persons (Section 2)
Prohibit contributions, provision of funds/goods/services to or from designated persons (Section 3)
Suspend entry into U.S. of designated persons (Section 4)
Prohibit evasion, avoidance, or conspiracy to violate order (Section 5)
Authorize Treasury to promulgate rules and regulations (Section 8)
Authorize Treasury to delist persons when circumstances warrant (Section 9)
Submit recurring and final reports to Congress on national emergency (Section 10)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Asset blocking effective 12:01 a.m. EDT May 13, 2014 for listed persons
Entry suspension takes effect for designated persons
No prior notice required for designations

Near term (90d)

Treasury/State designation of additional persons under criteria in Section 1(a)(ii)
Implementation of regulations and licenses as needed

Long term

Ongoing sanctions enforcement and potential delistings under Section 9
Recurring congressional reports on national emergency per NEA and IEEPA

Risks & tensions

Humanitarian carve-out exists but compliance burden may delay aid delivery
Broad 'material support' and 'owned or controlled by' standards risk overreach or chilling effects on legitimate actors
No prior notice for designations limits due process for U.S.-connected persons
Vague 'threaten peace, security, or stability' standard grants wide discretionary authority to Treasury/State
Illicit natural resource trade provision may affect regional commodity supply chains