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Rabat – The European Parliament validated Algeria’s inclusion on the list of high-risk countries regarding terrorism financing and money laundering.
A statement from the European Commission announced today that it has updated its list of high-risk jurisdictions, with a group of countries included in the list, such as Algeria, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, and Venezuela.
“The updated list takes into account the work of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and in particular its list of ‘jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring,’” the commission said, noting that the FATF is closely involved in monitoring the progress of the listed jurisdictions.
The statement quoted Commissioner for Financial Services Maria Luis Albuquerque, who stressed the importance of identifying and listing high-risk jurisdictions, which remains a crucial tool to safeguard the integrity of the EU’s financial system.
“Following a thorough technical assessment and after listening carefully to the concerns expressed around its last proposal, the Commission has now presented an update to the EU list which reiterates our strong commitment to aligning with international standards, particularly those set by the FATF,” she said.
Laurence Trochu, a member of the European parliament, also celebrated Algeria’s addition to the list of high-risk countries regarding money laundering and terrorism financing.
“Good news!” she wrote on X.
In June, the commission amended the list of high-risk jurisdictions, adding Algeria to the list.
It announced the update on June 10, noting that the inclusion takes into account the risk assessment by FATFS.
The inclusion comes as many international observers, MPs, and politicians increasingly call on the international community to designate Polisario, a separatist group that Algeria’s regime finances, hosts, and arms, as a terrorist group.
Republican Congressman Joe Wilson officially submitted a bipartisan bill to the US Congress to designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist group.
The bill directly points to the separatist group’s maneuvers undermining the region’s security, including its involvement in extensive arms and drug trafficking activities throughout the Sahel region, deliberate violations of established ceasefire agreements with Morocco, and calculated attacks targeting Moroccan civilians in Saharan border territories.
Despite the growing appeal, Algeria continues its unwavering support for the Polisario Front.
In April, an Algerian political analyst said the Algerian regime continues to supply the Polisario Front with military equipment, including its involvement in terrorist acts like interference in the domestic affairs of countries like Syria and Morocco.
Reports recently indicated that the Algerian regime had delivered four Fajr-54 combat drones to the Polisario Front.
The separatist group launched a series of terror acts against Morocco’s southern province of Es-Semara, expanding threats towards other regions.
In May, members of the separatist group issued threats to deter foreign investment in Morocco’s southern provinces
“Let the Sahrawi stay away from foreigners and not come telling us they’re civilians or innocent. This is not a tourism context, but a wartime context,” said Mustapha Sidi Ali El Bachir, a member of the Polisario Front leadership.
