Intresting.
Basically Al-Shabaab fear if they lose the Marehan of Kismaayo's support that they will lose power.
Kismayo, which lies in southern Somalia, is the third largest city in Somalia and the administrative city for lower Juba. Kismayo has one of the largest ports in
Somalia, and after the collapse of central government in 1991, the city has experienced many conflicts by those seeking control. Somalia Report took a look at how the people are living in Kismayo under Shabaab rule.
When the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) took control of Mogadishu and other strategic cities in Somalia, they rushed to seize control of Kismayo, as it was central to their economic strategy. In September 2006, they took full control of the city, ousting Barre Hiraale, the warlord who had control of the city for many years.
After controlling the city for three months, they were ousted by Ethiopian troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces in early 2007. The TFG forces divided themselves along ethnic lines and Hirale regained control of the city by working with his clan.
In August 2008, al-Shabaab militants took control of the city after three days of fighting, and imposed their own administration and strict interpretation of Shariah law.
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Kismayo overviewThey ordered all women to wear veils, including those living in IDP camps who could not afford buying one. They ordered youth not to play football nor watch football matches, they imposed punishments such as the severing of limbs for locals accused of theft and other crimes. Those who failed to follow their strict social codes were whipped or beaten with sticks, 50 wipes for failing to attend congregational prayers. Men and women who were accused of adultery were brutally killed. Men and women were not allowed to board the same vehicles, and women had no rights but to wait until all men go first.
Economy
The main means of economy in Kismayo is import and export of goods through the port, charcoal predominantly. Ordinary people who were handling these transactions have suffered the most, as al-Shabaab has increased the port charges for importing or exporting goods by as much as 30 percent.
Other means of seeking livelihood included farming in the outskirts of the city. Farmers who once sold their products in local neighborhoods were harassed by Shabaab and ordered to pay feeds for doing the right to sell their produce, or were compelled to pay tribute, as much as half what they harvested. Due to this, many farmers were forced to quit their job and this in turn contributed to the famine experienced in the city as well as other regions where they were in control.
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Fisherman carrying shark on Kismayo beachAnother business in Kismayo was selling khat which completely halted in the first year of their rule, but after long negotiations, it was re-opened with high amount of taxes charged on those selling.
Business people were forced to pay charges amounting to the purchase of a gun for al-Shabaab on every transaction. Failure to comply with this could lead to confiscation. Higher charges were charged on hawalas (foreign exchange bureaus) and this has had a negative impact on the economy.
The money that came out of the transactions in the port prior to Shabaab's seizure of the city used to remain with in the city, but now the money is sent to Mogadishu and other cities that they control, which made life difficult because they do not receive any thing in return.
Political Power
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Shabaab militants gathered near KismayoSince al-Shabaab have imposed their own administration in Kismayo, there have been conflicting interests between various factions within al-Shabaab. When civil war was sensed, some local Shabaab allies were appointed to keep support from the local residents, but when al-Shabaab was not concerned with dissent, people from other regions were brought in to administer who would not treat the locals well. Recently Sheikh Filow was questioned by Shabaab's security bureau because they were afraid that he may mobilize the Marehan clan, stop them from taking part in the ongoing fighting in the region and even seize power if al-Shabab are defeated in Kismayo.
Sheikh Hassan Yakub who hails from the city of Baidoa, served as the head of the administration for 3 years but was removed from the post and replaced with another member who also hails from Kismayo. Shabaab policies are split between attempting to appease locals in times of conflict and self-interest generally. It remains to be seen whether local resentment will sway under assault by AMISOM troops in the coming conflict.
Mobilization Against Allied Forces
Since KDF has invaded Somalia, al-Shabab has started meeting with clan elders. The first meeting took place in a mosque located at Guul wade village in Kismayo, where they met with elders, businessmen and other members of the Marheen Clan. The al-Shabaab who organized this meeting are Sheikh Abdirahman Filow, Sheikh Adan Obe and Mahad Mohamed Omar, the youngest official in the city administration. All three officials hail from the Marehan clan. The intent was to mobilize enough fighters to protect Kismayo and the region
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Shabaab militants moving near Kismayofrom allied forces. Sheikh Filow pressed locals to bring money to buy 50 AK-47 assault rifles. He also ordered the elders to bring 200 youth who taken to Kudha for training. He encouraged clan members to take part in the fighting, reminding them of how they fought during the colonial period and cited stories of legends like Ahmed Gurey who resisted the British colonialist.
Several meetings have been held in different mosques as well as Suq Mugdi, encouraging elders, businessmen and other locals to take part in the ongoing fighting in the Gedo and Juba regions.
Shabaab militants have taken youth, including young children, from their schools to Kudha for training without the consent of their parents. Some parents have heard about the death of their children years after they went missing.
Since the KDF have captured the towns of Kudha and Badhade, al-Shabaab have increased their forcible enlistment of untrained youth and elderly people in the frontlines, focusing in particular on Afmadow, which they see as strategic stronghold for the defense of Kismayo. They have also increased their demands for money from businesspeople, telling them that it is a charitable act for them to give money while there is a jihad against infidels.
