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Somali PM calls on business community to take up arms against al-Shabab


Tuesday December 17, 2024

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has urged the Somali business community to arm themselves and resist al-Shabab's extortion as the government intensifies efforts to disrupt financial networks linked to terrorist activities. 

The Prime Minister made the remarks during a meeting in Mogadishu attended by government officials, business leaders, and civil society groups. The discussions focused on combating the financing of terrorism and ending al-Shabab's financial influence over businesses. 

In his address, Prime Minister Barre called on businesses to stop paying extortion money to al-Shabab and instead use those resources to defend themselves. 

"There are big businessmen sitting here who often visit al-Shabab-controlled areas like Jilib. I tell you to take up arms—legalized by the government—so you can face the enemy that oppresses you and takes money from you as extortion," Prime Minister Barre said. 

"You are not dead, nor alive. You are living a life that no Somali should accept. Do not allow yourselves to be summoned to al-Shabab areas to pay them money, only to face more threats. This is not the life of a businessman," he declared. 

The federal government has recently achieved major strides in dismantling financial networks supporting extremist groups. Measures such as freezing bank accounts and shutting down money laundering operations have weakened al-Shabab's ability to fund its activities. 



 





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