By Lauryne Akoth
In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on 11th March 2024, 16 entities have been imposed sanctions for financing the Al-Shabaab terror Group.
Crown Bus Services operating in Kenya and two Kenyan nationals; Faysal Yusuf Dini and Mohamed Jumale Ali were among the 16 entities flagged for raising and laundering Money for the Al-Shabaab.
“Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on 16 entities and individuals who compose an expansive business network spanning the Horn of Africa, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Cyprus that raises and launders funds for al-Shabaab, a terrorist group affiliated with al-Qa’ida,” read the statement in part.
According to OFAC, the two Kenyan nationals have been working in conjunction with a Dubai-based company Haleel Commodities L.L.C. which has branches in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Cyprus, to generate and launder funds.
Faysal Yusuf Dini has been a financial facilitator for the Haleel subsidiary group in Kenya known as Haleel Commodities Limited, transferring funds on behalf of al-Shabaab. He collaborates closely with Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale to strategize investment initiatives and engage in illicit financial activities, including money laundering.
Their activities involve overseeing the funnelling of al-Shabaab funds through investment projects and companies, such as Crown Bus Services in Kenya. Crown Bus Services has also been identified as a key player in supporting al-Shabaab’s logistical operations.
Additional entities on the list comprise Qemat Al Najah General Trading based in the UAE; Hassan Abdirahman Mohamed, a Somali citizen residing in Finland; Farhan Hussein Hayder, overseeing Haleel Group’s branches in Kenya, Uganda, Cyprus, and the UAE; Abdulkadir Omar Abdullahi, serving as the director of Haleel Group’s Uganda branch, alongside Omar Sheikh Ali Hilowle and Hayder.
Haleel Commodities Limited and Crown Bus Services, located in Kenya, are subject to designation under E.O. 13244, as amended. This is due to their ownership, control, or direction by Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, an individual whose property and interests are under consideration for sanctions.
“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 the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.” read the statement.