Al-Shabaab summons more than 70 Mogadishu businesses owners over unpaid taxes

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Al-Shabaab summons more than 70 Mogadishu businesses owners over unpaid taxes

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) More than 70 Mogadishu business leaders have been summoned by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group on Monday this week, five of the business leaders and a Somali security source privy to the matter told Horn Observer on Thursd

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During Ramadan month, Al-Shabaab's Zakat system is followed in all Al-Shabaab-held areas.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) More than 70 Mogadishu business leaders have been summoned by the al-Qaeda-linked militant group on Monday this week, five of the business leaders and a Somali security source privy to the matter told Horn Observer on Thursday.

The militant group met with the businesses owners from various industry in the capital including textile, restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, supermarkets, food stores and automobile spare parts vendors at Basra village in the Lower Shabelle region, about 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu on Monday night May 11, where they were asked to register with four al-Shabaab's Zakat collecting officers.

During Ramadan month, Al-Shabaab's annual taxes on businesses popularly known as "Zakat" is followed in all al-Shabaab-held areas, including Middle Juba in the south, Gedo in the southwest, and Hiiraan in central Somalia. The Zakat is also levied on the business community in Mogadishu despite the capital is controlled by Somali Federal Government backed by the African Union forces and the Western allies.

"Most of the businesses leaders were from the import and the export, but there were the small scale businesses owners mainly from Hamarweyne, Bakaro and Maka al-Mukarama area. Some of us paid the Zakat or had promised to pay in this month," one business owner who attended the meeting told Horn Observer.

"The discussions took long until Tuesday morning because some of us complained that they were levied tens of thousands of dollars," the source adds.

A Somali intel source in Mogadishu told Horn Observer that al-Shabaab directs the businessmen to carry the money either in cash or in EVC (mobile money) when summoning them over the phone.

"When the businessmen leave Mogadishu, they already have their money ready with them. After agreeing with al-Shabaab taxes men, they make the payment," the intel source who agrees his initials Ali be used for this report added "We are estimating 75 businesses made payment between Monday to Tuesday this week making a rough estimation of USD250,000 up-to USD350,000 went into hands of the terrorists."

Meanwhile one clothes store owner in Hamarweyne has confirmed to Horn Observer that he has paid USD2,500 after a lengthy negotiation.

"My shop is not big but they [al-Shabaab taxes officers] asked to pay USD4,000. I had paid USD2,500 after the negotiation," the store owner told Horn Observer in anonymity condition for safety concerns.

When Horn Observer contacted Banadir Police Commissioner and the Somali Police Force Chief, both did not respond to our calls seeking their response to this report.

(HORN OBSERVER)