AML-CFT ESCAY Project’s Post

𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐥 A spike in #jihadist violence has made the #CentralSahel, which includes #BurkinaFaso, #Mali and #Niger, the latest terrorist hotspot. A string of military coups set off the instability, leaving #powervacuums that #extremistorganisations like #IS Sahel and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (#JNIM) have taken advantage of to expand their #sphereofinfluence. This has resulted in unprecedented civilian #killings and extensive #displacement, which raises questions over the possibility of the jihadist movements. 12,000 persons, predominantly civilians have lost their lives as a result of this #violence. With more than 8,000 fatalities, #BurkinaFaso was the most affected. #Niger, which once had a significant role in #counterterrorism, has experienced an increase in #insurgent attacks following the July 2023 #coup. There have been several #military and civilian deaths as a result of the fighting that has spread from northern #Mali into Niger. With over 2.8 million internally displaced people (#IDPs), including over 2.1 million in Burkina Faso alone, the #humanitarian crisis in the region is severe. According to UN estimates, official government control does not extend over half of Burkina Faso, making civilians subject to abuses by both #state and terrorist groups. The departure of international peacekeeping forces, namely the #UnitedNations operation #MINUSMA from Mali, has created a gap in the protection of civilians and the oversight of human rights. The juntas ruling Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formed a #mutualdefence pact and withdrawn from regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (#ECOWAS), further isolating themselves from international support. This move has limited the prospects for regional stability. The entry of #Russian mercenaries from the #WagnerGroup has further intensified the conflict, particularly in Mali, where they have been implicated in numerous #warcrimes, including #summaryexecutions and #torture. The instability presents a #high-risk environment for businesses looking to operate in the resource-rich #Sahel. The militarized approach of the ruling juntas, combined with ongoing inter-communal tensions and increased use of aerial weapons, heightens the risk of violence. The potential transformation of these regions into jihadist strongholds poses severe threats to both regional and #globalsecurity. The international community must reassess its strategies and engage with regional players and organisations to prevent further #escalation and mitigate risks for businesses and communities alike. At WoRisGo, we closely monitor these developments, which carry significant implications. For expert insights or personalised advice on navigating and managing risks, please visit www.worisgo.com or contact our specialists at contact.us@worisgo.com. Prepared by: Shashank Khopkar Image Source: Paul Lorgerie/Reuters

The UK Charity Commission has launched a “statutory inquiry to investigate funds raised for charitable purposes by and on behalf of Aozma Sultana”. The Charity Commission is concerned that 2 UK companies, Aakhirah Limited and Al-Qureshi Executives, of which Ms Sultana was the sole director, may have misappropriated thousands of dollars of donations which were supposed to be used for humanitarian aid for Gaza, but were instead used to fund ‘Gaza Now’, a news agency that allegedly promotes Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Aozoma Sultana, who allegedly controls ‘Gaza Now’, was recently designated by the UK under its counter-terrorism sanctions regime. Reg 12 of the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 prohibits a person from making funds available to a designated person and entities controlled by them if they know or have reasonable cause to suspect that they are making the funds so available. #EUSanctions #Russia #EUCommission #ExportControl  #TradeWar #TSECS #SanctionsUpdate #TurkishSociety #Sanctions #USA #OFAC #BIS #TradeUpdates #GlobalTrade #TradeCompliance #InternationalRelations #EconomicSanctions #TradeRegulations #TurkishExports #TradePolicy #SecurityMatters #ForeignPolicy #ComplianceNews #EconomicSecurity #CrossBorderBusiness

UNRWA: A Cover for Terrorism - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been an enabler of Palestinian terrorism for years, far preceding the brutal events of October 7. The UN's August 5 announcement, claiming it fired several UNRWA employees for potential involvement in Hamas's attacks, is nothing more than a hollow gesture—a deliberate attempt to distract the world from its deeply entrenched support for terror. UNRWA's so-called "neutrality" is a blatant lie. This agency has not only turned a blind eye to terrorism; it has actively facilitated it. UNRWA allows Hamas to tunnel under its facilities, transforming schools and hospitals into launchpads for violence. It distributes venomously antisemitic curricular materials that indoctrinate hatred and glorify violence against Jews. Worse, UNRWA's workforce is infiltrated by terrorists—Israeli intelligence estimates that up to ten percent of its employees have direct ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. This is not mere negligence; it is a willful complicity in terror. By employing known terrorists and enabling their activities, UNRWA has forfeited any claim to humanitarian credibility. It has become a shield and a tool for Hamas and Hezbollah, directly undermining peace and security in the region. The time for half-measures and hollow condemnations is over. UNRWA must be disbanded immediately... #UNRWAComplicity #EndTerrorSupport #DisbandUNRWA #UNRWACorruption #HamasTies #UNBias #RefugeeCrisisManipulation #HoldUNRWAAccountable #SupportNeutrality #HumanitarianStandards #UNHCRNotUNRWA #PoliticalAdvocacyInHumanitarianAid #TrueRefugeeSupport #StopFundingTerror #GlobalNormsForPeace

Is Ghana a save heaven for terrorists in the Sahel? 1. Jihadist or Islamist militants in Sahel West Africa continue to destabilize the region, especially in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as several attacks killed thousands and displaced millions. 2. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), West Africa recorded over 6,000 deaths, including about 1,000 civilians killed by Islamist insurgents in the first eight months of 2024. 3. The most terrorist-affected countries, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, broke decades-old ties with France and shifted alliances towards Russia for support to fight the Islamic insurgency. 4. Also, they left ECOWAS to form AES after they were imposed sanctions by the regional bloc. 5. With continued destabilizing in West Africa, reports indicated that terrorists in the region are consciously using Ghana's northern regions as logistical and medical bases, raising concern as to whether Ghana is becoming a haven for terrorists operating in the Sahel. And so what? 6. Aside from the language barrier and Ghana's robust military and security apparatus, a strategic choice not to disturb the militant supply line, including crossing Ghana's porous border to stock up on supplies such as food, fuel, and explosives and seeking medical treatment, could be a reason Ghana has not had any major terrorist attacks. 7. As a regional leader, Ghana has made international efforts to prevent the spread of terrorism from the Sahel to coastal West Africa, including the initiation of the Accra Initiative, which seeks to prevent spillover of terrorism from the Sahel and to address transnational organized crime and violent extremism among member countries. 8. Ghana's reluctance to take direct action against militants may backfire as militants may move from using the country as a logistical base in to recruiting and radicalizing local communities. 9. Ghana risks repeating the mistakes of Mali and Burkina Faso in the early stages of their insurgencies, as the countries engaged in informal non-aggression pacts with militants, only to see these agreements collapse as insurgencies gained strength. 10. Ghana must balance internal stability with countering insurgents by enhancing border security, strengthening intelligence-sharing with regional partners, and addressing root causes of radicalization in vulnerable communities. 11. Ghana needs collaborations and support from external actors and international partners to enhance counterterrorism capabilities to fight Islamist insurgencies within the country. #Africa #SahelWestAfrica #Ghana  

New shocking figures from the US Department of Defence are a glaring indictment of #US policy in #Africa: America's "War on Terror" has disastrously spiked #terrorism in Africa by an astonishing 100,000%, with #Islamist violence alone jumping 20% in just the last year. Decades of misguided US intervention have catapulted Africa into the epicentre of global terrorism, responsible for nearly half the world's #terrorist acts. This alarming trend dominated discussions at the #AfricanUnionsummit in #Ethiopia, amidst a backdrop of escalating #violence and #political chaos. #Africa #AU #AfCFTA #Partnership #AUC #AfDB #Invest #Trade #OneAfrica #Investment #Gold #Agenda2063 #Growth #AfCFTATrade #ThisIsAfrica #BrandAfrica #Diaspora #TradeInAfrica #SEZ #PanAfrican #JICH #BuildBackBetter #PeaceInAfrica #Peace #AfricanUnity https://lnkd.in/g_ztMS5e

Message by Imran Khan, Founding Chairman of #PTI, from Adiala Jail (June 25, 2024) Eliminating terrorism and establishing law and order in Pakistan has always been a core policy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During PTI's tenure, there was a significant reduction in terrorism. We strengthened the police and CTD institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which resulted in a notable decline in terrorism in KP and subsequently across the country. To establish peace in the region, we engaged in dialogue even with the Pakistan-opposed Ashraf Ghani government in Afghanistan, invited them to Pakistan, and personally visited Afghanistan to further peace efforts. After the U.S. withdrawal, there was a severe threat of civil war in Afghanistan, which was handled tactfully. The then-DG ISI, General Faiz Hameed, played a crucial role in establishing relations with the new Afghan government. Considering the regional circumstances, my government decided not to replace the DG ISI and gave these instructions to General Bajwa, who assured the Prime Minister that the DG ISI would not be changed. Despite this, he was replaced, the reasons of which emerged later: a deal between General Bajwa and Nawaz Sharif concerning the extension of General Bajwa's tenure. Subsequent events proved that General Bajwa caused significant damage to the country for his personal gain. ISI, which was supposed to protect the country from terrorism, was diverted from counter-terrorism to crushing PTI. Similarly, the Foreign Minister of the PDM government toured the entire world but did not visit Afghanistan because they had no concern for Pakistan's peace, the lives and property of our people, or our security institutions. Even today, they lack a clear strategy to combat terrorism, resulting in the nation suffering once again. During PTI's tenure, when we cleansed state institutions of politics and prioritized the protection of national interests, both domestic and international critics coined the term 'hybrid system' and targeted us. Today, except for a very small group of compromised individuals who prioritise their self interests, even our past critics are compelled to acknowledge the prevalence of the worst form of dictatorship in the country. Pakistan's future depends on respecting the people's mandate, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring political stability. Addressing terrorism through naked fascism or military invasions against our own people is neither possible nor will it bring stability to Pakistan. Decisions made against the will of the nation and attempts to impose them on the people through power & force have always produced devastating outcomes. Amnesty International Human Rights Watch International Monetary Fund European Parliament UK Home Office Department of State International Court of Justice (ICJ).United Nations Bloomberg The Independent Financial Times The Guardian ThePrint The Economic TimesThe Economist Reuters The New Arab The Rio Times

ECOWAS, AU Quest to End Terrorism Amid Challenges The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and other partners are making concerted efforts to end terrorism, violent extremism and unconstitutional change of government (UCG) within the West African sub-region and the entire continent. This was the crux of the joint consultation meeting between the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the ambassadorial level on Wednesday in Abuja as the regional organizations work to create a mechanism for a unified response to these scourges. During the meeting, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, who is the Chair, ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, said “the security landscape in Africa is a dynamic one, constantly presenting new complex threats, from terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government. These challenges demand a unified response that goes beyond our national boundaries and requires collective efforts. “We have terrorism, we have violent extremism, and we have unconstitutional change of government. So, all these points are areas that we have to ensure that we collaborate, synergize our work to ensure that we combat all of these scourges we now have on the continent.” Also speaking during the meeting, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musa revealed the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism, which he said are homegrown and sometimes backed and sponsored by external forces. Source & PC: Leadership News #leadership #ECOWAS #AU #terrorism #Nigeria #Abuja #Africa

Good analysis! Thank you Manuel Sambo Two comments, whilst I agree with the financial pressure argument, the most interesting thing about SAMIM’s finances is that most of the mission’s cost was funded by an asssessed contribution system whereby all SADC member states contributed to the cost. Whilst I recognise that this was a heavy burden for the countries to carry, it is also an exemplary example of African countries paying for their own security operation. It meant they had full agency to decide what to do, within their means, and when to end the mission. These decisions did not have to be negotiated with Addis Ababa or New York. Second, my assessment is that the primary reason why SADC decided to end the mission is because they did not have a willing host state partner, and therefore the conditions for achieving their mandate was not in place. It is impossible for a stabilisation mission to be effective if the host state and mission don’t have a shared understanding of the problem and solution. From that perspective, and in light of the financial pressure, ending the mission at this point was the right decision.

Extract from my book 📚📖 - violence and insecurity in Africa, a threat to the world... Nigeria continues to be significantly impacted by terrorism and violent extremism, ranking as the eighth most impacted country globally according to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index. In addition to the threats posed by terrorist groups in the North East, conflicts between farmers and herders have further exacerbated instability and criminal activity in the Middle Belt (North Central) region, while emerging separatist groups have raised concerns in the South.

The number of violent events involving extremist groups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger has nearly doubled since 2021. That is according to a Reuters review of data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data crisis monitoring group, which recorded 224 violent events a month on average since January, up from 128 in 2021. The Institute for Economics and Peace reported that Burkina Faso topped its Global Terrorism Index for the first time this year, with fatalities rising 68% to 1,907 — a quarter of all terrorism-linked deaths worldwide.