Two Kenyan-based Individuals among 16 Sanctioned by U.S for “Financing Al-Shabaab”
GOOBOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: The United States Treasury has levied sanctions on 16 individuals and entities across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, accusing them of laundering money for the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Among those sanctioned are two Kenyan based businessmen; Faysal Yusuf Dini identified as an al-Shabaab financial facilitator who leverages Haleel Group and some of its leadership to transfer funds on behalf of the al-Qaida-affiliated terror group.
The U.S Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Dini works closely with Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, also based in Kenya, to plan investment projects and money laundering activities.
OFAC added that the operations by the two individuals include laundered projects through Crown Bus Services – a company that operates in Kenya which it says has been used to support al-Shabaab’s logistical operations.
“This includes managing al-Shabaab funds laundered through investment projects and companies, including through Kenya-based Crown Bus Services,” the federal government agency said in a statement.
International Fundraising
The Treasury said the “expansive business network” was part of an international fundraising and money-laundering web for the Al-Qaeda-linked group operating in Somalia and designated a terrorist organisation by Washington.
“Individuals within this network include influential business people in the region,” the Treasurey said in the statement.
It adds, “Al-Shabaab generates over $100 million per year by extorting local businesses and individuals, as well as through the financial support of affiliated businesspeople.”
Treasury said the funds were distributed worldwide, including to other Al-Qaeda-linked groups, “to sow discord and undermine good governance.”
Others on the list include UAE-based Qemat Al Najah General Trading; Hassan Abdirahman Mahamed, a Finland-based Somali citizen; Farhan Hussein Hayder, who directs and manages Haleel Group’s branches in Kenya, Uganda, Cyprus, and the UAE; and Abdulkadir Omar Abdullahi, who is associated with Haleel Group’s Uganda branch as its director, along with Omar Sheikh Ali Hilowle and Hayder.