View the Original .pdfThe 1-Minute Brief
What: This presidential notice continues a national emergency for one year regarding the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). This continuation allows the U.S. government to maintain sanctions against individuals and groups, including the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, who are deemed a threat to the peace and stability of the CAR.
Money: There is no specific cost to the U.S. taxpayer associated with this notice. The financial impact is felt by the individuals and companies targeted by the sanctions, whose assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen. The Wagner Group and affiliated companies have been sanctioned for exploiting natural resources like gold and diamonds to fund their operations.
Your Impact: For the average American, there is no direct impact. This action is focused on foreign policy and targets specific foreign individuals and entities. U.S. companies involved in international finance and trade must ensure they do not conduct business with sanctioned parties.
Status: This is an executive action that continues an existing national emergency. It was transmitted to Congress and published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2025, and is currently in effect.
What's Actually in the Bill
This executive notice extends the legal framework that allows the U.S. to impose economic sanctions on those fueling the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). Originally declared via Executive Order 13667 on May 12, 2014, the national emergency addresses the "unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States" posed by the ongoing crisis in the CAR. The order was a response to a breakdown of law, widespread violence, and the use of child soldiers. This latest continuation specifically highlights the destabilizing role of "Kremlin-linked entities such as the Wagner Group."
Core Provisions:
- The national emergency concerning the Central African Republic, first established by Executive Order 13667, is continued for 1 year beyond its expiration date of May 12, 2025.
- This action is taken under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act (NEA).
- The continuation allows the President to maintain and impose sanctions, such as freezing assets and restricting financial transactions, of persons and entities determined to be contributing to the conflict.
Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):
The White House states this continuation is necessary because the situation in the CAR continues to pose a significant threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
- To deal with the continued breakdown of law and order, intersectarian tension, and widespread violence in the Central African Republic.
- To specifically address the "widespread violence and atrocities committed by Kremlin-linked entities such as the Wagner Group."
- To counter threats to the peace, security, or stability of the Central African Republic and neighboring states.
Key Facts:
Affected Sectors: Foreign Policy, National Security, Mining, International Trade.
Timeline: The extension of the national emergency is effective for one year, beginning after May 12, 2025.
Scope: The sanctions target individuals and entities, including Russian paramilitary organizations, responsible for perpetuating the conflict, committing human rights abuses, and exploiting the natural resources of the CAR.
The Backstory: How We Got Here
Timeline of Events:
The Séléka-Anti-balaka Civil War (2012-2014):
The crisis began in 2012 when the Séléka, a coalition of mainly Muslim rebel groups, launched an offensive, accusing the government of failing to honor peace agreements. They seized the capital, Bangui, in March 2013, ousting President François Bozizé and committing mass atrocities. In response, predominantly Christian self-defense militias known as the "anti-balaka" formed, launching revenge attacks against Muslim civilians. This plunged the country into a brutal sectarian conflict, leading to thousands of deaths, the collapse of state institutions, and a massive humanitarian crisis with hundreds of thousands displaced. In response to this "total breakdown in law and order," President Barack Obama declared a national emergency on May 12, 2014, issuing Executive Order 13667 to sanction those responsible.
The Wagner Group Era (2018-Present):
Around 2018, Russia increased its influence, sending hundreds of "civilian instructors"—identified as mercenaries from the Wagner Group—to support the government of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra in exchange for mining concessions. Wagner forces have been accused of committing severe human rights abuses, including mass executions, torture, and rape of civilians while fighting rebel groups. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned multiple Wagner-linked companies for their role in these abuses and for illicitly extracting gold and diamonds to fund Russia's destabilizing activities in Africa. The explicit mention of the Wagner Group in the 2025 renewal notice highlights their actions as a primary justification for continuing the emergency.
Why Now? The Political Calculus:
- Countering Russian Influence: The U.S. sees the Wagner Group's activities in the CAR and across Africa as a key part of Russia's effort to expand its geopolitical influence and undermine democratic stability, making the continuation of sanctions a tool to counter Moscow.
- Human Rights and Stability: The continued atrocities and fragility in the CAR present a persistent humanitarian crisis. The U.S. is using sanctions to pressure bad actors and support international efforts for peace and stability.
- Bipartisan Consensus: Targeting Russian mercenaries is one of the few areas with broad, bipartisan agreement in Washington. Continuing these sanctions faces little to no political opposition domestically.
Your Real-World Impact
The Direct Answer: This action directly affects specific foreign individuals and entities fueling the conflict in the Central African Republic but does not have a direct impact on the daily lives of most Americans.
What Could Change for You:
Potential Benefits:
- There are no direct, tangible benefits for the average American. The intended benefits are aligned with U.S. national security interests, such as preventing a failed state from becoming a haven for terrorism, promoting stability in a volatile region, and curbing the influence of hostile foreign powers like Russia.
Possible Disruptions or Costs:
Short-term (Immediate):
- For the vast majority of Americans, there are no costs or disruptions.
- U.S. businesses, particularly in banking and international trade, face compliance costs to ensure they are not dealing with sanctioned individuals or entities.
Long-term:
- There are no anticipated long-term costs for the general public. The long-term goal of the policy is to reduce the threat of international instability, which could theoretically prevent the need for more costly U.S. interventions in the future.
Who's Most Affected:
Primary Groups: Sanctioned individuals and entities, including leaders of armed groups and companies linked to the Wagner Group. The people of the Central African Republic are most affected by the underlying conflict the sanctions aim to address.
Secondary Groups: U.S. financial institutions and companies operating in the region must dedicate resources to sanctions compliance. Humanitarian aid organizations may face a more complex operating environment.
Regional Impact: The sanctions are specific to the conflict in the Central African Republic but affect entities operating out of other countries, including Russia and the United Arab Emirates, who are involved with the Wagner network.
Bottom Line: The continuation of this national emergency is a foreign policy tool that allows the U.S. to punish bad actors in a foreign conflict but has no measurable effect on the average American citizen.
Where the Parties Stand
Republican Position: "Holding Russian Mercenaries Accountable"
Core Stance: There is strong bipartisan support for sanctioning the Wagner Group and other Russian entities, making the Republican position largely aligned with the executive action.
Their Arguments:
- ✓ Republicans have consistently supported measures to counter Russia and have co-sponsored legislation to designate the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
- ✓ They view the use of sanctions as a critical tool to punish human rights violators and disrupt illicit funding streams that support Russia's agenda.
- ⚠️ Some may argue for even tougher measures or question the overall effectiveness of the current sanctions strategy.
Legislative Strategy: To continue supporting executive sanctions while also introducing legislation like the HARM Act to increase pressure and apply more stringent penalties on the Wagner Group and its affiliates.
Democratic Position: "Countering Russia's Destabilizing Activities"
Core Stance: The Democratic party fully supports this action, as it is a continuation of a policy from a Democratic administration and aligns with its foreign policy goals.
Their Arguments:
- ✓ Democrats initiated this national emergency in 2014 and have consistently renewed it, highlighting the need to address the humanitarian crisis and human rights abuses.
- ✓ They emphasize countering the Kremlin's malign influence in Africa as a key foreign policy priority.
- ✓ They have joined Republicans in a bipartisan push to formally label the Wagner Group as a terrorist organization.
Legislative Strategy: To support the President's executive authority on sanctions while working to build bipartisan coalitions for further legislative action against Russian paramilitary and political interference.
Constitutional Check
The Verdict: ✓ Constitutional
Basis of Authority:
This executive action is based on powers granted to the President by Congress under two key laws: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act (NEA).
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701): "[The President has the authority to] deal with any unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States, if the President declares a national emergency with respect to such threat."
Constitutional Implications:
Legal Principle: IEEPA allows the President to regulate international economic transactions after declaring a national emergency under the NEA. This is a statutory authority delegated by Congress.
Precedent: The use of IEEPA to impose sanctions has been a standard and legally accepted tool of U.S. foreign policy for decades, employed by presidents of both parties since it was enacted in 1977.
Federalism: This action involves foreign policy and national security, which are powers clearly assigned to the federal government, not the states. It does not raise federalism concerns.
Potential Legal Challenges:
Legal challenges are unlikely to succeed against the emergency declaration itself. However, individuals and companies placed on the sanctions list could challenge their specific designation, arguing a lack of evidence. The broader constitutional debate centers on the National Emergencies Act, which critics from both left and right argue gives the President too much power by allowing emergencies to be renewed for years or decades without meaningful, affirmative approval from Congress.
Your Action Options
TO SUPPORT THIS ACTION
5-Minute Actions:
- Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town] and I support the continued use of sanctions under Executive Order 13667 to hold the Wagner Group and other human rights abusers accountable in the Central African Republic."
30-Minute Deep Dive:
- Write a Detailed Email: Contact members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee to urge support for this action and related legislation like the HARM Act to designate Wagner as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
- Join an Organization: Support organizations working to document atrocities and provide aid in the CAR.
- The Sentry: An investigative and policy organization that follows the dirty money connected to African warlords and transnational war criminals.
- Human Rights Watch: Documents human rights abuses in the CAR and around the world.
- International Rescue Committee: Provides humanitarian aid to Central Africans affected by the conflict.
TO OPPOSE THIS ACTION
5-Minute Actions:
- Call Your Rep/Senators: Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 "I'm a constituent from [Your City/Town]. While I oppose the Wagner Group, I am concerned about the perpetual renewal of national emergencies under the National Emergencies Act and urge Congress to reform the law to require more oversight."
30-Minute Deep Dive:
- Write a Letter to the Editor: Raise awareness in your local newspaper about the broad powers presidents have under the National Emergencies Act and the need for greater congressional control.
- Join an Organization: Support groups that advocate for reforming presidential emergency powers or question the broad application of sanctions.
- Cato Institute: Argues for reforming the National Emergencies Act to increase congressional oversight.
- Brennan Center for Justice: Works to reform laws governing emergency powers to ensure a proper system of checks and balances.