Somalia’s opposition coalition dubbed Forum For Nation Parties (FNP) has released a press release alleging ties between the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and the Al Qaeda affiliated terror group Al Shabaab.

The coalition has requested a thorough and independent investigation into the possibility of ties between both entities. Former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sheikh Sharif which are leading the coalition have expressed grave concern over the widely speculated links between NISA and Al Shabaab.

FNP is basing there concerns on media reports circulating in the press alleging ties between both camps. The media reports publishing these damming accusations are based both in and outside the country.

The statement hit the nail on the coffin by calling for an investigation into the assassination of Abdirahamn Osman (Yariisow). The former Mayor of Mogadishu who was killed in a suicide bombing this past summer. Many suspect the attack to be an inside job, since it was allegedly carried out by a blind women.

However both the Somali government and the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) are yet to address these accusations, let alone clear the smoke by coming clean.

Brief background on AS

The Al Qaeda affiliated terror group Al Shabaab has been waging an armed campaign against the Somali government since January 2009, following the ouster of US backed Ethiopian troops from southern Somalia. The militants fully controlled south and central Somalia between January 2009 and the fall of 2011, which accounts for 50% to 55% of the country.

However the militants where flushed out of most urban areas such as key cities and districts by late 2012. Since than the group has mainly dominated the rural country side and waged a relentless guerrilla war.

To the surprise of many, the tide on the battlefield has turned in favor of the militants following the (s)election of the Qatari backed presidential candidate Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo). The jihadists have even resurged more stronger than ever, which has shocked many.

This can be seen as lethal attacks are being conducted at a higher frequency than ever before. The bombing at Mogadishu’s ex control junction that left nearly 100 dead is the most recent example.

Tax empire

The uptick in violence is just the tip of the iceberg.  The insurgents have developed a monopoly in the capital Mogadishu like never before. Nearly every store and place of business in the capital pays taxes to Al Shabaab.

The insurgents have even gotten so bold, that they now collect taxes at will from the seaport and airport in Mogadishu, which ironically is a source of revenue for Somalia’s fragile UN backed government.

This has many people in and outside the country suspecting elements within the government are collaborating with the Al Qaeda affiliated terror group Al Shabaab.

In a span of three years, the militants have went from waging guerrilla warfare to turning Somalia’s capital (Mogadishu) into a tax empire of there own, which has only fueled further speculation on possible links between the state and the jihadists they claim to be fighting.

The statement released by the FNP coalition is much needed and has now shined the spot light on NISA as well as the Federal government. How authorities in Mogadishu react to these damming allegations remains to be seen.

Halgan Media Service Desk

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