Somalia warns NGOs: Cut ties with al-Shabaab or face legal action..

The Somali Federal Government has issued a warning to local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), ordering them to cease any cooperation, whether direct or indirect, with militant groups Al-Shabaab and Daesh or face immediate suspension and legal consequences…

In a Thursday statement, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation outlined strict measures against NGOs found violating the directive. “No organization operating in Somalia is permitted to offer financial support or any form of assistance to Al-Shabaab or Daesh,” the Ministry stated. “Any violation will result in the immediate revocation of operating licenses and criminal prosecution under Anti-Terror Law No. 007.”

The Ministry said that the ban extends to all forms of collaboration, including contracts, partnerships, or indirect funding through intermediaries. NGOs are expected to ensure full compliance at all levels of their operations, leaving no room for loopholes.

The directive follows warnings issued by the Ministries of Religious Affairs and Commerce earlier in the week, urging businesses and organizations to reject extortion demands and financial threats from Al-Shabaab. Somali officials have intensified their efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical networks that sustain terrorism in the country.

The crackdown is part of a national campaign to restore security and prevent armed groups from leveraging local and international resources. Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency for more than a decade, frequently targets NGOs and businesses with demands for protection money.