US Announces Mali Sanctions

The U.S. announced sanctions on people, property and entities in Mali contributing to the country’s terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking and human rights abuses, the White House said in a July 26 executive order. The sanctions impose asset freezes, restrict U.S.-related travel and block certain donations to Mali by anyone targeted with the measures.

The sanctions stem from the “repeated violations of ceasefire arrangements” made in the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali as well as the increasing terrorist activity, “hostage-taking” and “attacks against civilians,” the order says. It also mentions attacks against Malian military forces and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

The order gives the Treasury and the State Department the ability to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the United Nations Participation Act and requires both agencies to submit “recurring and final reports” to Congress on the national emergency in Mali.