Hassan yakub Ali who is the highest in Al-shababa’s command in Kismayo said that the traders also refused to pay tax to his authority.

Those arrested traders are small time businessmen and shop owners in Kismayo markets.

The traders on their part said that the money Al-shabab is demanding is too much and will harm their businesses. The traders are also not willing to pay Zakat by force.

The arrest of traders in Kismayo by Al-shabab came at a time when Al-shabab and the local business community were in disagreement on the amount of money the group collects from them as tax.

Some of the traders have vowed not to accept to pay the amount demanded by the militia.

Bar-kulan.