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Samantha Lewthwaite Still at Large as al-Shabaab Financier in Somalia

Recent intelligence placing her in Uganda highlights gaps in international counterterrorism tracking.

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Overview

  • She remains at large as a principal financier of an al-Shabaab cell operating in Somalia.
  • Unnamed security sources report unverified sightings of her in Uganda, leaving her exact whereabouts unknown.
  • Interpol added her to its red notice list in 2013 after links to the Nairobi shopping mall attack that killed 67 people.
  • Investigators say she has shifted from direct involvement in attacks to managing funding and logistics for jihadist networks.
  • Her continued evasion has been aided by false identities, alleged bribery of local officials and suspected use of plastic surgery.