US Offers $5 Million for Capture of Al-Shabaab Spokesperson Responsible for Attacks in Kenya and Somalia

The United States government has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the capture of Al-Shabaab spokesperson Ali Mohamed Rage, alias Ali Dheere.

Rage, who is said to have been Al-Shabaab’s chief spokesperson since May 2009 and is a senior leader of the terrorist organization, has allegedly been involved in the planning of attacks in Somalia and Kenya, according to the US Department of State.

On August 6th, 2021, the Department of State designated Rage as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist [SDGT], a designation that blocks all property and interests in property belonging to Rage and may expose persons who engage in certain transactions with Rage to the designation.

"Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant financial transaction or provides significant financial services for Rage could be subject to U.S. correspondent account or payable-through account sanctions, " the department said in a statement.

On February 18th, 2022, the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee added Rage to its Sanctions List pursuant to paragraph 43[a] of resolution 2093 [2013] for engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Somalia.

The UN designation requires UN Member States to impose an arms embargo, including related training and financial assistance, a travel ban, and an assets freeze on Rage. 

“Al-Shabaab is responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya, Somalia, and neighboring countries that resulted in loss of life, including of US citizens. The terrorist group continues to plot, plan, and conspire to commit terrorist acts against the United States, US interests, and foreign partners,” the department added.

The Department of State designated Al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist in March 2008.  In April 2010, Al-Shabaab was also added to the 1844 Sanctions List by the UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 1844 (2008).