Money services businesses on a sanctions list in Kenya targeting terrorist organization Al-Shabab will have their licenses reinstated but face enhanced scrutiny going forward, the head of the country's financial intelligence unit said.
U.S. officials are increasingly relying on economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy, but the effectiveness of sanctions in achieving policy objectives is questionable, according to Bryan Early, political science professor at University at Albany.
Kenyan officials will give money transfer companies and other businesses a week to appeal their inclusion on a sanctions list targeting al-Shabab, the head of the country's financial intelligence unit said.
Kenyan sanctions imposed Tuesday to clamp down on the finances of Somali terrorist group al-Shabab have sharply impacted money remittance businesses in London, company agents told ACAMS moneylaundering.com Thursday.
The British High Court injunction Tuesday against Barclays ending its relationship with Somali money services businesses is likely to keep the bank from dropping the accounts for five or six months, according to compliance experts.
American and British officials will likely weigh steps to quash fundraising by the Somali rebel group behind the terror attack and hostage standoff in Kenya, two investigators said Monday.
American sanctions, terrorist financing prosecutions and rising related compliance costs have made it increasingly difficult for Somalia's U.S.-based community to move money to the African nation.