The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) does not have the capacity to stop Al-Shabaab from imposing compulsory taxation on traders, this is according to the country’s Finance Minister Abdirahman Beyle.
Beyle made the remarks after an article by the Washington Post highlighted on Al-Shabaab menace causing havoc on Somali business people and traders. The article alleged that the FGS has not been able to find a final solution to the problem.
“It is a very scary situation,” said Somali Finance Minister Abdirahman Beileh. “We have not been able to address it. It is the number one problem in this country.”
The Somalia Finance Minister noted it was not easy to tighten the noose on the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab since they operate within the society and are part of it.
“This problem is one of a kind. Al-Shabaab militants are Somalis like me or anyone else. They look like me. They are everywhere, and among us,” Beileh said.
According to the article, traders interviewed by Washington Post complained of extortion by Al-Shabaab noting they receive phone calls to either pay or face the consequences.
The article also confirms long held view that Al-Shabaab has been able to infiltrate the port of Mogadishu and is able to determine the amount of imports and exactly what traders should pay to them.
FGS in the recent past warned traders against paying taxes to Al-Shabaab but traders have little option since the weak government cannot guarantee of their security should they default.
