GIABA urges religious leaders to fight money laundering, terrorism financing

The Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, known as GIABA, has urged religious leaders in the region to play a more proactive role in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, corruption, kidnapping, human trafficking and other crimes that threaten West African societies. The call was made by GIABA Director General Mam Cherno Jallow at a National Sensitisation Seminar in Banjul, The Gambia.

Jallow highlighted the significant influence religious leaders hold over their congregations and communities, stating they should use this power to discourage activities that undermine peace, security and economic development. He emphasized that religious leaders must not only speak against wrongdoing but also demonstrate the values they promote through their own behavior and lifestyles.

GIABA, a regional body under the Economic Community of West African States, established in 2000, is dedicated to protecting member states' economies from the laundering of proceeds of crime and combating terrorist financing. The organization has been engaging religious communities since 2017, recognizing their ability to influence attitudes and behavior at the grassroots level.

Jallow urged participants to take the seminar as a call to action rather than a mere sensitization program. He stressed that combating money laundering and terrorist financing is a collective responsibility, not just for religious leaders, but for the Gambia's Financial Intelligence Unit as well, which expressed concern about religious institutions potentially being vulnerable to abuse due to their role in handling donations and charitable funds.