Somalia Hosts Conference to Combat Terror Financing, Urges Traders to Cut Al-Shabaab Funding

Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somalia's government held a counter-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering conference in Mogadishu, calling for joint efforts between the government, traders, and the public to halt funding streams to Al-Shabaab.

“Stop Funding Al-Shabaab or Risk Your Lives” – Prime Minister BarreOpening the conference, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre urged traders and citizens to stop paying extortion money to Al-Shabaab, warning that compliance does not ensure safety.

“We know the fear and threats from the group. But giving them money is a crime. Your life is not guaranteed even if you pay—they will still kill you. Al-Shabaab’s funding, I believe, comes 90% from the Somali community,” Barre stated.

Government Vows to End Al-Qaeda IdeologyMinister of Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail 'Fartaag', said the Somali government is well-prepared to eliminate Al-Shabaab and its extremist ideology, ensuring security for citizens.

Former Al-Shabaab Leader Robow Warns TradersFormer Al-Shabaab deputy leader and current Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali 'Abu Mansur', condemned traders who provide funds to the militants.