The Somali government has issued a strong warning to businesses and individuals paying extortion money to al-Shabab, stating that those found guilty will face legal consequences.
At a joint press conference in Mogadishu, top officials—including the Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail and Minister of Religious Affairs Mukhtar Ali Robow—emphasized that traders who fund the al-Qaida-linked militant group risk losing their government-issued permits.
The government has been intensifying efforts to cut off al-Shabab’s financial lifelines, previously shutting down over 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money accounts linked to the group.
Deputy Minister of Information Abdirahman Yusuf al-Adala warned that authorities are actively tracking individuals involved in terror financing and that no one will escape punishment.
Robow, a former al-Shabab member turned minister, condemned any justification for supporting the militants, particularly in areas under government control, such as the Bakara Market.
Security officials revealed that Somali traders, often out of fear, unknowingly fund terror operations that cost up to $80,000 per attack.
The warning comes after the 7th Prosecutors’ Conference in Mogadishu, which focused on dismantling terrorist financial networks.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to securing Somalia by eliminating the economic foundations of terrorism.
