WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama ordered sanctions Tuesday against five people tied to sectarian violence in the Central African Republic and cleared the way for further penalties, stepping up the U.S. response to a crisis that’s plunged the former French colony into fear and chaos.

In an executive order, Obama declared a national emergency and said a breakdown of law and order, widespread atrocities and forced use of child soldiers threatens security in the Central African Republic as well as in neighboring nations.