Jubaland court sentences clan elder to five years for Al-Shabaab collaboration

A Jubaland military court on Monday sentenced clan elder Hassan Mahamud Salah to five years in prison, ruling that he collaborated with the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Colonel Abdullahi Mahamud Ibrahim, who presided over the trial in Kismayo, announced the sentence, noting that Salah’s affiliation with Al-Shabaab warranted a significant penalty. “This is a warning to anyone who thinks they can support terrorist groups without facing justice,” he said, emphasizing the court’s strict stance on those linked to Al-Shabaab. According to court officials, sentences for such crimes typically range from three to ten years, depending on the level of involvement.

The investigation into Salah’s ties to Al-Shabaab, conducted by the Jubaland National Intelligence and Security Agency, revealed that Salah allegedly participated in Al-Shabaab’s intelligence-gathering efforts. He was reportedly part of a five-member committee responsible for information collection. Jubaland officials allege that Salah’s collaboration with the group went beyond traditional community leadership, involving direct support for Al-Shabaab’s operational needs.

Authorities initially detained Salah last year in the border town of Kulbiyow with assistance from Kenyan security forces. He was later transferred to Kismayo, where intelligence officials interrogated him. The charges claim that Salah’s actions as an elder were instrumental in supporting Al-Shabaab’s operations in the area.

In court, Salah defended his connections with Al-Shabaab, arguing that his interactions were part of his role as a clan elder and did not involve active support. However, the court ruled that his involvement constituted a clear affiliation with the group, particularly given his position within the alleged intelligence network.

The sentencing marks a continued effort by Jubaland’s military court to curb Al-Shabaab’s influence by prosecuting those suspected of aiding the group. Jubaland authorities, in collaboration with regional security partners, have intensified efforts to disrupt Al-Shabaab’s network, aiming to deter local support for the militant group.