Somali Court Jails Woman for 15 Years Over Sh155M Al-Shabaab Financing.

In a landmark verdict that underscores Somalia’s crackdown on terror financing, the Banadir Regional Court has sentenced Nadiifo Hassan Abdiqadir Abdulle to 15 years in prison for laundering more than Sh155 million (approximately US$1.2 million) in support of Al-Shabaab.

The ruling, delivered today, signals a hard line by Somali authorities against individuals funding militant operations.

What the Court Found.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Abdulle had used her personal bank accounts to disguise multiple illicit transfers. These funds were reportedly funneled toward sustaining Al-Shabaab’s armed activities.

In addition to the prison term, the court fined her US$20,000 (roughly Sh2.6 million), ordered the closure of her bank accounts, and mandated that all her assets be confiscated and transferred to the state.

Why This Ruling Is Shocking.

Scale of funds involved: Sh155 million is among the largest single amounts linked to terror financing to be successfully prosecuted in Somalia, highlighting the magnitude of Al-Shabaab’s financial networks.

Use of everyday banking channels: Abdulle’s use of personal financial accounts, rather than obviously covert methods, shows how deep and well-camouflaged the financing channels can be. Financial oversight bodies warn this kind of funding is harder to detect. Strong legal consequences: The sentence is not just symbolic.

It includes major asset seizure and fines, signaling that the state will push both criminal and financial penalties to root out complicity. —

National & Regional Impact.

Somali authorities are using this case to reinforce their zero-tolerance posture on terror financing. The Office of the Attorney General emphasized that the verdict reaffirms the nation’s commitment to dismantling networks that sustain Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has long maintained parallel revenue streams in contested regions, including tax extortion, smuggling, and protection rackets. Experts believe successful legal cases like this may weaken its financial backbone.