The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned 16 entities among them a Kenyan Bus Company for their role in fundraising and money laundering for the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
The said individuals and entities designated were involved in the raising and laundering of millions of dollars through several businesses at the direction and in the interest of al-Shabaab.
“Kenya-based Faysal Yusuf Dini (Dini) works closely with Kenya-based Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale (Awale) to plan investment projects and money laundering activities, ” U.S said in a statement.
“This includes managing al-Shabaab funds laundered through investment projects and companies, including through Kenya-based Crown Bus Services. Crown Bus Services has also supported al-Shabaab’s logistical operations. “
Al-Shabab, which operates in Somalia, is also an Islamist insurgency group with connections to al-Qaida.
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Kenyan Bus Company Supporting Al-Shabaab Activities
Also, those sanctioned in connection with Al-Shabaab were operating throughout the Horn of Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, according to a Treasury statement.
“Kenya-based Haleel Commodities Limited and Crown Bus Services are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13244, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, directly or indirectly, Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, a person whose property and interest in property are proposed to be blacked pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended,” the statement further read.
The US Department also said that these attacks have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, and they are ready to root the vice out.
“The United States is committed to working with regional partners to root out terror financing networks and the entities they abuse to raise and move funds,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.
According to the US statement, Al-Shabaab generates over $100 million per year by extorting local businesses and individuals, as well as through the financial support of affiliated businesspeople.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller further said in a statement Monday March 11, 2024, that the terror group’s threat is not “limited to Somalia.”
“Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qa’ida-supported groups worldwide and help fund al-Qa’ida’s global ambitions to sow discord and undermine good governance,” he said.
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Sanctions Implications
Furthermore, the United States reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with regional allies to dismantle networks and entities involved in financing terrorism.
“Today’s action is part of a multifaceted effort by Treasury to support the Somali government’s economic offensive against al-Shabaab—one of three pillars in their campaign to degrade this deadly terrorist group.”
However, this action continues Treasury’s efforts to disrupt al-Shabaab’s abuse of the regional financial system.
“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals and entities named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to Office of Foreign Asset Control(OFAC),” the statement further read.
“OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of designated or blocked persons.”
