In accordance with paragraph 59(d) of resolution 2127 (2013), the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals and entities included in the sanctions list.
ABDOULAYE HISSENE 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 stabilization 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.”
Abdoulaye Hissène and other members of the ex-Séléka collaborated with anti-balaka spoilers allied with former Central African Republic (CAR) President François Bozizé (CFi.001), 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” neighborhood 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 (CFi.007) 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-vehicles 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 organized by Nourredine Adam (CFi.002).
In August and September 2016, the Panel of Experts traveled 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.