Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13536: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Somalia

President: Barack Obama

Declared a Somalia-related national emergency and authorized asset freezes against people threatening peace obstructing aid or supporting piracy and violence.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13536 still in effect? Yes. Active national emergency continued beyond April 2026 and expanded by later orders.

What does Executive Order 13536 do?

EO 13536 blocks US-held property of designated persons responsible for violence, obstruction of peace processes or humanitarian aid, misappropriation and related support in Somalia. EO 13620 expanded criteria, and Treasury implements designations and licenses. The President continued the emergency for another year in April 2026.

Administration position: Sanctions apply to designated persons and prohibited dealings, not automatically to every Somali person, charity or transaction.
SignedApril 12, 2010
AuthorityIEEPA and National Emergencies Act
AdministratorTreasury Office of Foreign Assets Control

Before and after

Before the order

Somalia measures relied on terrorism authorities and UN-related restrictions without this dedicated emergency program.

After the order

Treasury could block property and prohibit transactions for listed conflict actors and supporters.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
TreasuryDesignate persons issue licenses and enforce prohibitionsContinuing
US personsBlock and report covered propertyContinuing
AgenciesCoordinate sanctions and humanitarian safeguardsContinuing

What happened next

EO 13536 declared the emergency.

EO 13620 expanded designation criteria.

The President continued the emergency for one year.