OSINT SUMMARY
U.S. has blasted a Somalia saying the states organs are not capable of striking individuals and organizations financing Al-Shabaab terrorist operations.
U.S. Department of State has pointed at Somalia’s Judiciary; the investigative body lacks adequate funding to conduct its mandate thus incapable to prosecute incidents of terror financing.
Somali judicial system remains weak and underdeveloped citing minimal inter-agency collaboration, lack of capacity and technical expertise.
The Al Qaeda affiliated jihadist group in Somalia, the Al-Shabaab solicits funds for financing its terror activities by indulging in illegal export of charcoal and sugar and by taxing residents and businesses in areas under its control. Al-Shabaab is also funded by its diaspora sympathizers.
A UN report shows a significant decline in Al-Shabaab revenues from illegal businesses but report also say the group illegal business are not cut off and the revenues generated are enough and being used to launch multiple attacks in Somali’s capital, Mogadishu.
Though the militants group has suffered huge blows from AMISOM campaigns, US estimates that Al-Shabaab still has several fighters, whom include a small portion of foreign fighters within its ranks.
Al-Shabaab remains a threat to peace and stability of Somalia and until security is beefed along its porous borders, by introduce a terrorist screening watch-list, improving security at capital city of Mogadishu which is frequently targeted, and without proper support by AMISOM the war against terror in Somalia is far from over.
