US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced classification of five "terrorist leaders" in Africa as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). In a statement, Blinken identified the leaders from the so-called Islamic State (IS)-Mozambique, Jama'at Nasr Al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), based in Mali, and Al-Shabaab. "The United States is committed to disrupting the financing methods of (IS)-Mozambique, JNIM, and Al-Shabaab all of which are designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and SDGTs limiting their abilities to conduct further attacks against civilians and supporting our partners in efforts to disrupt terrorism finance," Blinken affirmed. He added, "addressing the terrorist threat across the continent will require working closely with our partners to degrade the capacity and operations of these terrorist groups, combating their control and influence in West, East and Southern Africa." He stressed, "As a result of our actions today, among other consequences, all property and interests in property of these individuals must be blocked and reported to the Department of the Treasuryآ's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)." He added "persons that engage in certain transactions with the persons designated today may themselves be exposed to designation," and "any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction or provides significant financial services for the persons designated today could be subject to US correspondent account or payable-through account sanctions." Meanwhile, the United States also welcomed the EU's adoption recently of a new sanctions regime to promote accountability and reform in Lebanon. As an increasing number of Lebanese suffer from the country's worsening economic crisis, it is critical that Lebanese leaders heed their people's repeated calls for an end to widespread corruption and government inaction and form a government that can initiate the reforms critical to address the country's dire situation. Sanctions are intended, among other things, to compel changes in behavior, and promote accountability for corrupt actors and leaders who have engaged in malign behavior. We welcome the EU's use of this powerful tool to promote accountability on a global scale. The United States looks forward to future cooperation with the EU in our shared efforts. — Agencies
