SOMALIA: MONITORING GROUP PROPOSES 11 TARGETS FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000709 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KPKO SO UNSC SUBJECT: SOMALIA: MONITORING GROUP PROPOSES 11 TARGETS FOR SANCTIONS DESIGNATION ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Somalia Sanctions Committee ("751 Committee") has received a list (see para 4) of eleven possible targets for the first round of targeted sanctions under resolution 1844. This list, which includes three Eritreans, was prepared by the UN Somalia sanctions Monitoring Group (MG). The MG will present these names to the Committee in an oral briefing on July 21. The Committee will not take any formal action until a UN Member State proposes that names be designated. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Somalia Sanctions Committee ("751 Committee") has received a list of eleven possible targets (see para 4) for the first round of targeted sanctions under resolution ¶1844. (NOTE: The Security Council in November 2008 imposed a new targeted sanctions regime -- asset freeze, travel ban, ban on arms transfers -- on Somalia. The Somalia Sanctions Committee has not yet designated any individuals or entities under 1844. END NOTE.) The Somalia sanctions Monitoring Group (MG),the UN team mandated to monitor and report on compliance with the Somalia arms embargo and resolution 1844, identified these targets as having met one or more of the resolution 1844's designating criteria: 1) undermine stability in Somalia, 2) impeding humanitarian assistance and/or 3) having violated the arms embargo. The MG-prepared list includes two armed groups and nine individuals. Three of the individuals are Eritrean; an additional two individuals have already been designated under the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee ("1267 Committee") for their association with al-Qaeda. ¶3. (SBU) The MG will brief the Committee about these names at a meeting on July 21. The Committee will not make a decision on new designations until a UN Member State formally proposes that these, or any other names, be designated. This listing request must be accompanied by a detailed statement of case in support of the proposed listing that forms the basis or justification of the listing. All members of the Committee must agree unanimously to the listing. ¶4. (SBU) MG PROSPOALS FOR DESIGNATION UNDER THE SOMALIA TARGETED SANCTIONS REGIME: GROUPS -------------- ---Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidiin: "Al-Shabaab" is linked to numerous acts threatening peace in Somalia, including attacks on the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and African Union (AMISOM) forces; the murders of several aid workers; and recruitment of foreign fighters and trainers. ---Hisb'ul Islam: Hisb'ul Islam is an armed group that has conducted numerous offensive operations against the TFG and AMISOM forces. INDIVIDUALS -------------- ---Ahbshir Abdillahi "Boyah" (Somali): Boyah has publicly admitted to being a key organizer, recruiter, and financer of a maritime militia operating a network of pirates responsible for 25-60 hijackings since the mid-1990s. ---Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamud "Godane" (Somali): Godane is a senior leader of al-Shabaab and exercises command responsibility for al-Shabaab operations across Somalia. --- Hassan Abdillahi Hersi "al-Turki" (Somali): Al-Turki is a senior leader of Hisb'ul Islam engaged in numerous arms embargo violations and assisting with military training of other armed groups, including al-Shabaab (NOTE: al-Turki is designated under the 1267 regime). --- Hassan Dahir Aweys: Aweys is the Chairman of Hisb'ul Islam (NOTE: Aweys is designated under the 1267 regime). --- Mohamed Abdi Garaad (Somali): Garaad is a leader, commander, and financer of pirate activities and is responsible for multiple hijackings. --- Yasin Ali Baynah (Somali): Baynah is a founding member and active supporter of Hisb'ul Islam mobilizing support and finances for the group and inciting attacks against the TFG and AMISOM. --- Yemane Gebreab (Eritrean): Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs for the People's Front for Democracy and Justice in Eritrea, bears chief responsibility for the Government of Eritrea's (GOE) policy towards, and transgressions in, USUN NEW Y 00000709 002 OF 002 Somalia. The GOE formally rejects the Djioubti Agreement, denies legitimacy of the TFG, and opposes the presence of AMISOM. In support of this policy, the GOE has provided "significant and sustained" political, financial and material support including arms ammunition and training to armed opposition groups in Somalia. --- Te'ame Abraha Selassie (Eritrean): Selassie, a ranking Eritrean military intelligence officer, is responsible for providing operational guidance to Somali armed opposition groups and is involved in planning and deliveries of arms and finance to these groups. By virtue of his position and actions, Te'ame bears a central responsibility for the implementation of Eritrean policy towards Somalia. --- Ali Abdu Ahmed (Eritrean): Ahmed, Eritrean Minister of Information, is the chief spokesperson for the GOE on Somalia policy. As such, he has made public statements de-legitimizing the TFG and inciting violent opposition against the TFG and AMISOM. RICE