The update concerns OFAC sanctions designations that create compliance obligations for financial institutions to screen transactions and block assets, which falls within anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance frameworks applicable to payment service providers.
Financial institutions and payment networks must implement screening controls and transaction monitoring to comply with OFAC designations, making this relevant to acquiring and payment processing infrastructure.
Specialism
The update explicitly designates entities as terrorist organizations under Executive Order 13224, imposing asset freezes and transaction prohibitions that directly trigger sanctions compliance obligations for financial institutions.
The designation creates secondary sanctions risk and requires financial institutions to screen customers and counterparties, which aligns with AML/CTF transaction monitoring and sanctions screening obligations.
2026-03-09 15:51:34·pdonofrio@vixio.com
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TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Designates Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Entity
BODY:
On March 9, 2026, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood (also known as the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan and the Sudanese Islamic Movement) to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. The organisation, established on January 1, 1954, has been designated as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO) and specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886.
The designation exposes the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood to secondary sanctions risk, meaning that entities engaging in transactions with it may face sanctions themselves. OFAC simultaneously updated the designation of the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, a Sudanese armed group established on January 7, 2020. The brigade's listing was modified to reflect its linkage to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood and to add FTO and SDGT designations, in addition to its existing designation under Sudan Executive Order 14098.
The Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood's designation as an advocacy organisation-turned-terrorist entity reflects escalating concerns regarding its activities and associations. The Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade's redesignation underscores OFAC's assessment of the operational relationship between these entities.
These designations prohibit U.S. persons and entities from engaging in transactions with the designated organisations and require the blocking of any assets they hold within U.S. jurisdiction. Financial institutions and businesses must screen their customers and transaction counterparties against OFAC's updated SDN List to ensure compliance.
REFERENCES:
Office of Foreign Assets Control. Counter Terrorism Designations; Sudan-related Designation Update. March 9, 2026. https://ofac.treasury.gov/