FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2022
Washington, DC – Yesterday, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over twenty faith and nongovernmental organizations sent a letter to Congressional Leadership in support of the amended Establishing New Authorities for Businesses Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security (ENABLERS) Act. If passed, this Act “would help put an end to [enabling] practices by requiring […] professional services to adopt AML procedures that can help detect, flag, and prevent the laundering of corrupt and other criminal funds into the United States” among other benefits, notes the letter.
Steven Nabieu Rogers, PhD, executive director at the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) and a scholar in African political-economy made the following remarks:
- “The Africa Faith and Justice Network, is calling on all members of Congress to support the passage of the ENABLERS Act. For too many years the US has been complicit in aiding corruption by allowing these loopholes to persist.
- “Kleptocrats and other corrupt actors particularly in Africa must not enjoy the benefit of a loophole that aids and abets them to move, hide, and grow their ill-gotten wealth. The ENABLERS Act, which will hold non-financial businesses and professions to the same anti-money laundering standards as banking institutions, will bridge that gap and significantly minimize the incentives for illicit financial flows from Africa.
- “The current US anti-money laundering law falls short. Without the ENABLERS ACT, the US will be unable to adequately protect its financial system or support the efforts of foreign governments to combat corruption and promote good governance.”
Jacques Bahati, AFJN policy analyst and chair of the Accountability Working Group of the Advocacy Network for Africa notes that:
- “Millions, if not billions, of dollars leave Africa for the US with the help of foreigners and foreign entities due to loopholes in financial policy. The ENABLERS Act is a long overdue and welcome step in the right direction.
- “If passed, the Act will be a useful tool for civil society organizations who are often tirelessly and helplessly fighting against their corrupt and unaccountable leaders (leaders who are above the laws in their home countries).
- “Many Africans hold deep resentment toward the US for serving as a safe haven for the much needed financial resources looted from Africa. This bipartisan Act helps the US reclaim its leadership role as a functioning democracy, while helping Africans in their fight for accountability by sending a strong unified message to Africa’s Kleptocrats and their collaborators.”
Read the August 9, 2022 “CSO Letter of Support for the ENABLERS Act” letter here.
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The Africa Faith and Justice Network is a faith-based, non-partisan coalition of 28 US-based religious communities of men and women. Inspired by the Gospel and informed by Catholic Social Teaching, AFJN seeks to educate and advocate for just relations with Africa and to work in partnership with African people as they engage in the struggle for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. www.afjn.org
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Available for Interview:
Steven Nabieu Rogers, PhD
Executive Director
Jacques Bahati
Policy Analyst
For media interviews contact:
Lydia Andrews, Communications Manager