This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
Published on September 1, 2019, a new report has shed light on Somalia's continued struggle against the Al-Shabaab militant group. Despite the government's efforts, the group has been able to collect revenue in areas under the government's control.
According to the report, Al-Shabaab has been extorting traders at Mogadishu port, land and property sales, as well as taxing businesspeople at Bakaraha market in Mogadishu. This has raised questions about the government's commitment to fighting the group.
On Wednesday, Somalia successfully lobbied the UN Security Council to block Kenya's proposal to tighten sanctions against Al-Shabaab. The proposal would have restricted even humanitarian aid to Shabaab strongholds, choking the group off key revenue sources.
Kenya had proposed the sanctions in an effort to weaken the group, but Somalia argued that it would have criminalised humanitarian aid. The move has been seen as a blow to Kenya's efforts to combat the group.
Kenya has since stopped giving entry visas at Wajir airport to passengers from Somalia, in response to the order. Traditionally, Kenya had required planes from Somalia to Nairobi to first land in Wajir for 'security clearance'.
However, Somalia still has other disagreements on counter-terrorism policy. The country's stance on Al-Shabaab has been questioned by critics, who point out that the group is able to collect revenue in areas under the government's control.
