Washington Post: Alshabab grows its taxation base

[Suldaanka]

Quote

The growth of al-Shabab’s tax revenue stands at odds with the federal government’s claims that the insurgency is on its back foot — and in sharp contrast to the U.S. military’s claims that its operations in Somalia are weakening the insurgency. 

A spokesman for U.S. Africa Command, John D. Manley, said in an emailed statement that the U.S. military targets al-Shabab’s “financial and collection operations” with airstrikes. He acknowledged that the militant group is “generally successful using threats and violence to intimidate clans and locals into paying taxes.”

Washington Post: if I don't pay, they will kill me: Al Shabab tightens its grip on Somalia with growing tax racket

[Che -Guevara]

I could hardly blame the public.

[Suldaanka]

It is scandalous to claim that Alshabab is weakened when all pointers say otherwise. In fact, Alshabab has adapted and has evolved. 

With Cheeseman's phantom government in its sunset period, and many people predicting the most ugliest (s)election process come 2020 as both UAE and Qatar pull all stops to get their horses over the line, the only winners will be Alshabab. 

And that throws a monkey wrench in the UN/IC AMISom withdrawal plans. 

I don't see AMISom leaving anytime soon. 

 

[Dhaqaale]

More likely that the North descends into civil war in 2020 with Caare attacks on SL forces in the east. The south government is protected by 5 different armies. Instability is the order of the day in Somalia (1960 map)

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

This why alshabaab can never be defeated  by dowlada taagta daran. Alshabaab taxes all the big companies in Mogadishu..   This is the sad truth. Even with all those millions of dollars send by Qataris and  other donors they can't match the shabaab resources. 

 

[Suldaanka]

With Alshabab awash with money new found richness, this is the sorry state of their opponents.