Disrupting Al-Shabaab's Revenue Stream in Somalia

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 27 March 2023 an analysis titled "Reclaiming Al-Shabaab's Revenue" by Wendy Williams.

Al-Shabaab generates annually an estimated $100 million used to support 5,000 to 10,000 well-armed fighters and a network of operatives.  The revenue comes from a variety of taxes and extortion practices.  This analysis looks at ways to disrupt al-Shabaab's revenue stream.  

Somalia's New Government and Al-Shabaab Challenge

 The Associated Press published on 25 May 2022 an article titled "For New Somalia Government, Al-Shabab a Threat to Authority" by Rodney Muhumuza.

The article discusses the internal dynamics of Al-Shabaab and its continuing influence.  Al-Shabaab's strategy is to patiently wait for the departure of foreign troops.  

Tigrayan Civilian Detainees in Ethiopia Allege Widespread Extortion

 Aljazeera published on 10 February 2022 an article titled "Ethiopian Officials Accused of Extorting Tigrayan Detainees" by Samuel Gebre and Zecharias Zelalem.  

Aljazeera interviewed victims and relatives of Tigrayan civilians detained by federal authorities in the aftermath of conflict that began in November 2020.  The article claims there is widespread extortion of the detainees for everything from release from prison to access to clean water.  

Conflict between Somali Extremist Groups

The Associated Press published on 6 December 2018 an article titled "Bloody Rivalry Erupts between Al-Shabab, Islamic State Group in Somalia" by Abdi Guled.

The article reports a growing conflict between two extremist groups in Somalia: al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab and a group affiliated with the Islamic State that consists mainly of defectors from al-Shabaab. Both groups are competing for funding from local businesses by extorting money from them.

Al-Shabaab Funding Assessment

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies published in June 2017 a report titled "Al-Shabaab Financial Assessment" by Yaya J. Fanusie, a former CIA counterterrorism analyst, and Alex Entz.

The report concludes that al-Shabaab probably will see its funding grow in years to come as AMISOM draws down its support for the government of Somalia. Al-Shabaab's funding comes primarily from an extensive taxation system.