The Council of the EU recently adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/953 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/954 to add Mohamed Ibrahim al-Shafi’i Al-Salem, also known as Aba Al-Sahraoui and Katiba Macina, to the EU autonomous list of persons sanctioned for his association with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda. According to the Council, Aba Al-Sahraoui is the leader of an ISIL-affiliated group called “Islamic State Sahel Province.” The Council further reported that Katiba Macina is a member of Jama’a Nusrat Ul-Islam Was Al-Muslimin (JNIM), which is a group associated with Al-Qaeda.
The designation, which was announced by the Council on March 25, 2024, subjects al-Shafi’i Al-Salem to an asset freeze and travel ban in the European Union and prohibits EU persons and operators from making funds or economic resources available to him.
Council of the EU Press Release | Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/953 | Council Implementing Regulation (CFSP) 2024/954