Al-Shabaab is expanding its tax collection bases, claims Somalia’s opposition
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali government has once again been alerted to allegations that al-Shabaab militants are now controlling large parts of the country in the midst of an ongoing stalemate before the election, which has literally brought many activities to standoff in the country.
In a harsh statement on Monday, Somalia’s opposition called on members of the international community led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to chip in and save the country from plunging into chaos, arguing that the outgoing regime has given Al-Shabaab a field of play. .
According to the team, which consists of 15 presidential candidates, the government has used security forces heavily funded by taxpayers from foreign countries to oppress civilians instead of expanding the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
Unfortunately, the claim that the move has given Al-Shabaab a highway to collect taxes from the locals in the country, further making it impossible for the Horn of Africa to move forward. Al-Shabaab controls large parts of central and southern Somalia in the countryside.
“Your governments are rightly continuing to equip and deliver budget appropriations to Somalia’s national army,” reads the statement, which was copied to Blinken and a large number of representatives of the international community in Somalia and those under the UNSC.
“Unfortunately, the Farmajo government has turned its focus away from the fight against Al-Shabaab, which now freely collects taxes with the government and targets civilians of its choice, while the government is preoccupied with the use of armed forces to oppress innocent civilians,” the team noted. .
Somalia, they said, has been without a constitutionally recognized government. The legislation passed by parliament to extend its mandate last year does not mention the extension of the presidency. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo expired on February 8 last month.
And the term now accuses Farmajo of having created a political opposition to his own political capital, further making it impossible for the country to move forward. Villa Somalia, however, has not yet responded to the opposition’s latest allegations.
“The argument from the former president that he should remain in office until a new government takes over is not possible, as he is the one constructing the current political stalemate,” the opposition said. “He has refused to engage in good faith with representatives of federal states and other stakeholders and is eager to hold on to power by force.”
Efforts to mediate a ceasefire between the opposition and the federal government in Somalia have stalled, with each side taking tough political positions. The country was set to go to the polls from December last year, but the government is not yet implementing the agreement on 17 September.
AXADLETM
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