Kismayo (AX) — In a significant turn of events, a military tribunal in Jubaland on Monday handed clan elder Hassan Mahamud Salah a five-year prison sentence, finding him guilty of conspiring with the militant faction Al-Shabaab. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against terrorism in the region.
Presiding over the case, Colonel Abdullahi Mahamud Ibrahim pronounced the verdict, articulating the court’s unwavering position on affiliations with Al-Shabaab. “This is a cautionary tale for those who dare to aid terrorist organizations and think they can evade consequences,” he stressed. The court’s eagerness to impose stringent penalties reflects their determination to curb terrorism-related activities, with punishments typically ranging anywhere from three to ten years, contingent on the nature of involvement.
The probe into Salah’s ties to Al-Shabaab was spearheaded by the Jubaland National Intelligence and Security Agency. Findings suggest Salah participated directly in the group’s intelligence operations. Allegedly, he was one of a five-member task force committed to gathering critical information. Jubaland officials assert that Salah’s role transcended his duties as a community elder, suggesting his activities were crucial to fulfilling operational demands of Al-Shabaab.
The elder’s arrest occurred last year in the border town of Kulbiyow, with Kenyan security forces lending their support in the operation. Salah was subsequently transferred to Kismayo for detailed questioning by intelligence personnel. Charges against him assert that Salah leveraged his position as an elder to bolster Al-Shabaab’s hold in the vicinity.
Defending his interactions with Al-Shabaab in court, Salah contended that his communications were incidental to his responsibilities as a clan leader and did not amount to active support. Nevertheless, the tribunal ascertained that his involvement unmistakably signified association with the militant faction, pointing explicitly to his alleged intelligence role within the organization.
This sentencing is yet another measure by Jubaland’s military court to stymie Al-Shabaab’s clout, targeting individuals accused of lending them aid. Collaboratively working with regional security figures, Jubaland authorities have ramped up their efforts to dismantle Al-Shabaab networks, with the ultimate goal of eliminating local support for the extremists. Their concerted action sends out a clear message, underscoring the heightened resolve to battle Al-Shabaab influence within the region.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
