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Washington widens Belarus sanctions as Bangui crisis deepens
Summary
A look back at two international developments reported in the days before 24 December 2020, involving Belarus and the Central African Republic.
What was happening in Belarus and the Central African Republic as 24 December 2020 arrived? Reports from the preceding days point to two separate pressure points abroad.
On 23 December 2020, the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on Belarusian officials and four offices. The measures targeted human rights abuses that occurred during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. The step formed part of the international reaction to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and the protests that followed it.
Two days earlier, on 21 December 2020, Rwanda deployed what it called a "protection force" to the Central African Republic. Its peacekeepers had been attacked by rebel forces advancing on the capital, Bangui. The Rwandan and Central African Republic governments accused former President François Bozizé of backing the rebels and plotting a coup. He denied the accusation. Russia also sent troops and heavy weaponry to support the government.
Together, the reports showed outside powers taking sides in two crises: Washington adding penalties in the Belarus dispute, and Rwanda and Russia sending forces to back the government in Bangui.
