Metro

Somali government threatens sanctions on businesses paying extortion money to al-Shabaab militants

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2022

The Somali government has issued a stern warning to business owners in the country to desist from paying what it calls extortion money to al-Shabaab militants as such businesses would face sanctions.

The country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry which gave the warning on Saturday in circular, said the “full force of the law would be brought against traders and businesses who pay the al-Qaida ally, al-Shabaab, which experts say raises millions of dollars through a complex and extensive taxation system,” the Ministry said.

The statement said the government would not hesitate to sanction businesses that pay extortion money to al-Shabab, which is “looking to choke a lucrative cash pipeline to use in funding deadly insurgency.”

The Ministry added that any business found to have paid or collaborated with al-Shabaab in any way would “face legal action” including having their government-issued trading permits revoked.

“Any merchant who obeys instructions issued by the terrorists, and pays them income, will never be allowed to do business in Somalia again.

“Any company found to involve members of al-Shabab, or that sponsors their merchandise, will have their property including real estate confiscated by the government,” the Ministry said in the circular.

The circular noted that the al-Shabab terrorists have been trying to overthrow the central government in Mogadishu for more than 15 years and regularly stages deadly bombings and armed attacks on civilian and military targets.

It said the government is saddened by the fact that the militants control swaths of countryside, and “use threats of violence to collect taxes in territory under their jurisdiction, including real estate taxes, road cargo at checkpoints and slaps customs on imports passing through the capital’s main port.”

A Somalian Think-Tank group, Hiral, reported earlier in the year that the al-Shabab group raises at least $15 on such taxes every month, rivalling the government’s own tax collection efforts.

During his inauguration, new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had vowed all-out war on the al-Shabab militants including providing arms and support to local militias willing to take the fight to the insurgents in their communities and the warning to the business leaders is seen as another of such measures in waging the war against the militants.

The government had also announced a crackdown on media outlets that publish what it deems propaganda for al-Shabab, warning that offenders would be dealt with.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

14 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.