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A Kenyan bus company is among 16 entities and individuals that have been sanctioned by the United States over their support for the militant group al Shabaab.
The US said other than money laundering, the bus company has also supported al-Shabaab’s logistical operations.
In a statement on Monday, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the 16 consist of a transnational network that spans the Horn of Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus.
He said the entities and individuals facilitate financing and money laundering for the al Shabaab terrorist organisation.
“The threat posed by al-Shabaab is not limited to Somalia. Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qa’ida-linked groups worldwide and help fund al-Qa’ida’s global ambitions to commit acts of terrorism and undermine good governance.
“Today’s action reflects the United States’ counterterrorism priorities in Somalia and supports the dynamic relationship we have established with the Somali government to counter the terrorist threats endangering the Somali people and undermining their communities,” Miller said.
He reaffirmed the United State’s commitment to disrupt al-Qa’i’da’s access to the international financial system.
According to the US State Department for Treasury, al-Shabaab generates over $100 million per year by extorting local businesses and individuals, as well as through the financial support of affiliated businesspeople.
It said individuals and entities sanctioned have been involved in raising and laundering millions of dollars through several businesses at the direction and in the interest of al-Shabaab.
“This action continues Treasury’s efforts to disrupt al-Shabaab’s abuse of the regional financial system and builds on OFAC’s October 2022 designation of a network of al Shabaab financial facilitators who served as key interlocutors between al Shabaab and local businesses in Somalia,” the US Treasury said.
by BRIAN ORUTA