The Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Thursday under an executive order that allows the administration to impose punitive measures on individuals deemed to threaten peace, security or stability in Somalia. The sanctions freeze any assets the men may have in U.S. jurisdictions and bar Americans from doing business with them.
“The United States is determined to target those who are responsible for the ongoing bloodshed and instability in Somalia,” said Adam Szubin, the director of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers the sanctions.
“By designating these individuals today, we are taking action to support our partner governments in East Africa and the African Union Mission in Somalia in their efforts to dismantle al-Shabab,” he said in a statement.
The two Eritreans hit by the sanctions are external intelligence chief Col. Tewolde Habte Negash, the alleged principal architect of Eritrea’s relationship with al-Shabab, who is accused of providing training and other support to it and other armed groups in Somalia, and Col. Taeme Abraham Goitom, who is said to be involved with organizing armed opposition to the Somali government.
Comments