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A court in Mogadishu has sentenced a Somali woman to 15 years in prison after finding her guilty of laundering more than $1.2 million to finance al-Shabab operations. The Banadir Regional Court ruled that Nadiifo Hassan Abdiqadir Abdulle channelled $1,237,010 through her personal bank accounts, which prosecutors said was used to fund militant activities, disguise illegal transfers, and support the group’s operations.
Along with the prison term, the court fined her $20,000, ordered the closure of her bank accounts, and directed that all her assets and funds be confiscated and transferred to the state.
In a statement, the Attorney General’s Office stressed its commitment to fighting terrorism financing and money laundering, warning that anyone involved in such activities would be held accountable. The case is being seen as a strong message from Somali authorities to those who may be tempted to assist the militant group financially.
Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for more than 15 years. The group continues to sustain itself through what Somali officials and the United Nations describe as a “parallel system of taxation.” Businesses, transport companies, and even communities are regularly extorted for money, which brings in millions of dollars annually.
Reports from the Somali Central Bank and the United Nations show that al-Shabab’s revenue streams are not only wide but also deeply entrenched in everyday economic activities. The UN Panel of Experts on Somalia noted in late 2024 that the group’s earnings are diversified across extortion, smuggling, and illicit financial transfers, estimating their annual revenue at more than $100 million. These funds are vital in helping the group recruit fighters, acquire weapons, and maintain its networks across Somalia and the wider region.
Authorities say Abdulle’s conviction demonstrates Somalia’s increasing determination to dismantle the financial systems that sustain the insurgents. In recent months, the government has taken several steps to curb terror financing. In August, the Attorney General’s Office announced the freezing of nearly $1 million in suspected terror-linked funds after reviewing more than 3,500 bank accounts. The Central Bank has also ordered local banks to block accounts belonging to individuals sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, aligning Somalia’s financial policies with international efforts to disrupt the group’s funding channels.
The country’s National Intelligence and Security Agency has frequently warned that individuals or institutions found to be financing al-Shabab will face prosecution. Officials say that the establishment of the Financial Reporting Center under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act has strengthened oversight of Somalia’s fragile banking system. While the sector is still vulnerable, these reforms aim to make it more difficult for terrorist groups to move money undetected.
Somalia’s fight against al-Shabab remains one of its most urgent national security challenges. The group continues to carry out deadly attacks across the country, targeting government institutions, civilians, and international forces. Officials believe that weakening its financial lifelines is critical to reducing its operational capacity and eventually ending its insurgency.
The conviction of Abdulle is the latest in a series of moves by Somali authorities to show that the country is serious about addressing terrorism financing. For the government, cutting off the flow of money to al-Shabab is just as important as fighting them on the battlefield. The case also highlights Somalia’s efforts to work with international partners to strengthen financial regulations and close loopholes that extremists have long exploited.