WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama on Friday extended for another year a freeze on the assets of three Ivory Coast nationals accused of being responsible for political violence in the west African country.

The sanctions were first imposed in 2006 by former president George W. Bush, pursuant to a UN resolution, against Charles Ble Goude, Eugene Djue, and Martin Kouakou Fofie.

Goude was a member of the regime of former President Laurent Gbagbo, Djue headed a youth group that supported the regime, and Fofie was a commander of the “New Forces” rebel group.

The action not only freezes their assets but also those of anyone who poses a threat to peace and reconciliation in the Ivory Coast, is responsible for violations of international law, sells weapons to the country, or incites violence.

In notifying the US Congress of the decision to extend the sanctions, Obama noted the massacres of civilians, political violence and deadly attacks on international peacekeepers that led to the UN sanctions resolution in 2004.

“Since the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara in May 2011, the government of Cote d’Ivoire and its people have made significant advances in the promotion of democratic, social, and economic development,” he said.

“Although considerable progress has been made, the situation in or in relation to Cote d’Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” it said.