Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Somalia

Jul 24, 2012

Summary

Adds new reasons to block the property of people who threaten peace in Somalia, including banning the import of Somali charcoal to cut off funding for groups.

What problem does this solve?

Groups in Somalia were funding their activities and causing violence by selling charcoal and stealing public money. This order stops them by blocking their money and property in the U.S. and banning charcoal imports.

What does this order do?

Bans importing charcoal from Somalia

Prohibits anyone from bringing charcoal from Somalia into the United States to stop a key source of money for harmful groups.

Expands reasons for sanctions

Adds new activities that can get a person's property blocked, such as stealing public money, attacking civilians, or using child soldiers.

Blocks property of those in the charcoal trade

Freezes the U.S. property of any person who has imported or exported charcoal from Somalia since February 22, 2012.

Punishes those who block aid

Allows the government to block the property of anyone who gets in the way of humanitarian help being delivered in Somalia.

Prohibits trying to get around the rules

Makes it illegal to try to avoid the order's prohibitions or to plan with others to violate them.

Who does this affect?

Individuals and groups threatening peace in Somalia
U.S. persons with business in Somalia
Importers of charcoal

What is the real world impact?

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Cuts off funding for terrorist groups

Targets the charcoal trade, a major source of money for the group al-Shabaab, to weaken their ability to operate and cause violence in Somalia.

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Supports international peace efforts

Aligns U.S. actions with United Nations Security Council resolutions to put more pressure on those who are making the conflict in Somalia worse.

When does this start?

This order went into effect at 2:00 p.m. eastern daylight time on July 20, 2012.