Combating Terrorism Financing in Tunisia: The Role of Sanctions Lists

Background

Terrorism financing poses a significant threat to global security, and international cooperation is essential to combat this menace. Targeted financial sanctions play a crucial role in disrupting illicit transnational financial flows. This report highlights the importance of domestic sanctions lists as a tool for national security.

Tunisia’s Sanctions List: A Critical Component

Tunisia maintains a list of 105 individuals affiliated with jihadi groups, divided into two categories:

• UN-supervised list: Targets al-Qaeda-affiliated individuals
• Domestic list: Targets individuals involved in post-2011 terrorism activities

Group Affiliations: Understanding the Threat

The majority of listed individuals became active after the 2011 revolution. Key findings include:

• 86 out of 105 have an affiliation with a jihadi group
• 17 have moved from one group to another
• Three individuals have changed groups twice

Notable Networks: Trafficking and Financing

A large network of 12 individuals was involved in trafficking weapons and introducing them to Tunisia following the revolution. This was primarily facilitated through traditional clandestine smuggling routes that jihadis took advantage of after the Libyan uprising.

Other Activities: Financing Terrorism-Related Crimes

Five listed individuals were specifically involved in financing terrorism-related crimes, including:

• Helping finance KUBN activities in the mountains
• Financing jihadi groups abroad
• Helping finance the failed Islamic State takeover of Ben Gardane

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the importance of domestic sanctions lists as a tool for national security. By publicly identifying terrorists and their financiers, countries can:

• Deter others from supporting jihadi groups at home and abroad
• Share typologies of fundraising, recruitment, radicalization, and operational activities
• Block assets and access to the global financial system necessary for terrorist activities

Tunisia’s experience highlights the effectiveness of domestic sanctions lists in combating terrorism financing and providing insights into jihadi networks and financing activities.