Kismayo (Sunatimes) Al-shabab insurgent group has asked traders selling meat products in Kismayo to pay $1500 to the group.

The newly appointed Shabab official in the meat market, Ahmed Ismail, alias “Abu Dujana” ordered the traders to pay the money in two days time.  Abu Dujana threatened that the traders who will refuse to pay the money will be punished by his group.

Some of the traders complained that they could not raise that huge amount of money. Others said they will close their businesses in the market if they are forced to pay the money.

The traders further said that business was not doing well in the past few months because of the ravaging drought which has negatively affected their business.

Al-shabab militants are doing all efforts to get some extra funds. They have been extorting money from traders and residents living in the areas under their control.

By Abdifitah Ibrahim