On June 20, 2022, the EU Council added an additional group and three individuals to the EU sanctions list following its adoption of Council Implementing Regulation (EU ) 2022/949 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/950, which amend Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and related persons, groups and entities. The action imposes restrictive measures, including asset freezes and travel bans, upon Ansarul Islam – the Burkinabe branch of UN-listed and Al-Qaeda affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin (JNIM) – its leader Jafar Dicko, and two JNIM senior commanders Sidan Ag-Hitta and Salem ould Breihmatt. According to the Council, this group and individuals are responsible for several terrorist attacks in Western Africa against civilians, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, and defense and security forces in Burkina Faso. The Council reports that these attacks are part of the growing terrorist threat in the region and pose a serious and continuing threat to the EU and to international stability.
EU Council Press Release | Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/949 | Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/950