UNITED NATIONS, January 23. /TASS/. The Security Council has extended its arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban on the Central African Republic until 29 January 2016 and the mandate of the Expert Panel assisting the Sanctions Committee through 29 February 2016.

Unanimously adopting the resolution of 2015 under the Charter’s Chapter VII, the Council, strongly condemning the resurgence of politically or criminally motivated violence in the landlocked country, continued and tightened the measures installed by its previous resolutions of 2013 and 2014.

The Council urged Member States to continue to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the Central African Republic of arms and related materials, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, and spare parts. The arms embargo also applied to technical assistance, training, and financial or other assistance related to military activities, including for armed mercenaries. Such measures, it decided, should not apply to the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Mission in the country (MINUSCA).

The resolution set out in detail the terms of the travel ban and asset freeze, including that Member States should continue to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the Sanctions Committee and freeze all assets, funds and economic resources on their territories that are owned or controlled by designated individuals or entities.

The Council urged the Central African Republic, its neighbouring States and other member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to cooperate at the regional level to investigate and combat regional criminal networks and armed groups involved in the illegal exploitation and smuggling of natural resources, including gold and diamonds, and wildlife poaching and trafficking.