Sanctioning Al-Shabaab leaders welcome, Somalia says

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Republic of Somalia welcomed the recent decision by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions on three Al-Shabaab operatives, whose role in the destabilization of the country had been documented for some time. 

Last week,  the UN Security Council slapped sanctions on Abdikadir Mohamed Abdikadir,  Mohamed Mohamud Mire, and Mohamed Omar Mohamed for coordinating Al-Shabaab activities across the country. 

The three, the UN said, were directly involved in a number of attacks against innocent civilians and members of security teams,  besides coordinating extortion in Somalia to the benefit of the militants.  

Daud Aweis, Somalia’s Information,  Communication and Culture minister,  said the move would significantly help the country fight Al-Shabaab,  who mainly depend on extortion as a source of raking revenue.  

"These individuals are now on the sanctions list under Resolution 2713, facing financial restrictions and travel bans,” the minister said in an X post while acknowledging the support by the UN Security Council. 

The UN Security Council announced on Thursday the placement of three militants on the sanctions list for their participation in terrorist activities in Somalia. The individuals will no longer have the freedom to move around the world.  

"The Federal Government of Somalia applauds the UN Security Council's decision to sanction three Al Shabab leaders at our request," said Aweis, a former BBC journalist and a close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. 

Recently,  Somalia activated operations against Al-Shabaab militants in the country,  with assistance from the US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The next phase shall target Jubaland and Southwest states. 

GAROWE ONLINE