ICC investigators to probe violence

A report on the News24 site notes that the ICC's first fact-finding mission since a preliminary probe was launched earlier this year comes amid unabated ethnic and religious violence that has raised concerns that a genocide could occur. A coalition of mainly Muslim rebels launched an offensive in 2012, eventually seizing power from President Francois Bozize in March last year. According to the report, some of the fighters went rogue and the abuses they committed spurred majority Christians into creating vigilante groups, which have in turn carried out atrocities. The report notes that the ICC team will be investigating possible war crimes by members of both the officially disbanded Seleka rebel group and the so-called 'anti-balaka' militias. Full report on the News24 site

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has ordered sanctions against three CAR leaders, including former President Francois Bozize. A report on the News24 site notes that the leader of the anti-Balaka militia, Levy Yakete, and the Seleka militia's number two, Nourredine Adam, were also targeted. The targeted sanctions, which include an asset freeze and travel ban, were anticipated in a 28 January UN resolution proposed by France and the US. The decision taken by the Security Council's Sanctions Committee was delayed for several weeks by Russia and China, who requested time to examine the case before finally giving the green light. The report notes the Sanctions Committee accused the three men of 'engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR'. Full report on the News24 site