WHY WON'T OFAC SANCTION THE SOMALI MSB DAHABSHIIL ?
Dahabshiil, the money service business headquartered in Somalia, has gone to court in the United Kingdom, seeking injunctive relief against Barclays, which is scheduled to exit their relationship, for both money laundering, as well as terrorist financing, grounds.
Barclays has declared that it will delay closing Dahabshiil accounts, pending the imminent court ruling. What's wrong with this picture ?
Dahabshiil has a long and checkered history of accommodating, and facilitating, the finances of Al-Shabaab, which is a designated terrorist organization. Al-Shabab* has:
(1) Received what amounts to annual bribes, or tribute, from the MSB.
(2) Forwarded money, from other Middle Eastern countries, to Dahabshiil accounts in Somalia, which was then used to fund terrorist acts inside the country, including the targeted killing of Somali government officials.
(3) Extorted money, from Somali expats abroad, and sent it in to itself in Somalia, through Dhaabshiil accounts.
Dahabshiil has also been accused of using bribes and threats to shut down critical media comments on its operation.
Where is OFAC on all this ? Someone in a position of leadership at Treasury needs to take action to designate this MSB immediately, and not two years later, please.
Al-Shabaab represents not just a clear and present danger to the Government of Somalia, it threatens Kenya and the entire East African region.
Its conversion of expatriate Somalis could even pose a terrorist threat to the United States.
Barclays should have to be the only entity going up against this terrorist organization.
The US & the UK need to strand up and be counted with sanctions.
* Its full name is Harakat al-Shabaab Al-Mujahideen (Movement of Warrior Youth).
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READ MORE ON: www.wantedsa.com
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