The United States has imposed sanctions on 16 entities and individuals linked to a network that raises and launders funds for the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
In a statement released on Monday, March 11, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Faysal Yusuf Dini backs the terror group by way of financing its operations.
According to OFAC, Yusuf, who works closely with Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, also based in Kenya, uses Haleel Group and some of its leadership to coordinate investment projects and money laundering on behalf of Al-Shabaab.
“This includes managing al-Shabaab funds laundered through investment projects and companies, including through Kenya-based Crown Bus Services,” OFAC said.
It added that while Crown Bus Services supports al-Shabaab’s logistical operations, Dubai-based Haleel Commodities L.L.C., is also on the list as a key financier of the terror group.
Haleel Commodities, also known as Haleel Group, is a multinational operation whose subsidiaries include a fintech unit in Cyprus and an electronics company in Somalia.
The company’s branches are spread across Kenya, Uganda and Somalia.
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.
Abdulkadir Omar Abdullahi, Haleel Group’s Uganda branch director, along with Omar Sheikh Ali Hilowle and Hayder are also on the list.
“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 per cent 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 OFAC,” the statement said.
In May 2018, Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority froze the accounts of Haleel Group’s subsidiary on suspicion of terror financing. The companies took the matter to court and the orders were lifted in September 2019.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
