20/06/2022 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 20 June, the EU Council decided to add the Ansarul Islam group, the Burkinabe branch of al-Qaeda, to its list of persons and entities sanctioned for their links with the terrorist organisation. Ansarul Islam leader Jafar Dicko and senior commanders of the UN-listed al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam Wal-Muslimin, Sidan Ag-Hitta and Salem ould Breihmatt are also subject to measures. According to the Council, this group and its individuals are responsible for several terrorist attacks, including against civilians, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali and defence and security forces in Burkina Faso. With these new measures, thirteen individuals are now subject to a travel ban and asset freeze and four groups to an asset freeze. (CG)