Tuesday October 13, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali federal government imposed financial sanctions Tuesday on former South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and nine others over suspected links to al-Shabab, ordering banks and other financial institutions to freeze their assets and halt transactions involving them.
The National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Committee said it had reviewed information and evidence indicating that the individuals were linked to, cooperated with or provided financial support to the al-Qaida-linked militant group.
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“The measure is based on information and evidence it evaluated regarding suspected financial support for Al-Shabaab,” the committee said.
The decision did not disclose the evidence against each person or provide details of the financial activities that led to their designation.
In addition to Laftagareen, the sanctions list names Hassan Abdulkadir Mohamed; former Somali Custodial Corps commander Mahad Abdirahman Adan, known as Mahad Shub; Ibrahim Adan Ali, known as Najah; Hassan Abdi Mohamed, known as Ugaas Hassan; Abdullahi Ali Watiin; Abdifatah Mahad Abdirahman; Abdimajid Mowlid Hassan; Amiin Mad Daruur; and Abshir Aden Isak.
Financial institutions and other entities covered by Somalia’s anti-money laundering laws must freeze assets belonging to those listed and immediately report any relevant transactions to the Financial Reporting Center (FRC), Somalia’s financial intelligence unit.
The committee also prohibited individuals and organizations from providing financial assistance or facilitating transactions involving those sanctioned, warning that violations could result in legal action.
Somalia’s targeted sanctions system operates under the Targeted Financial Sanctions Act of 2023. The Financial Reporting Center says the mechanism is intended to disrupt financial networks supporting al-Shabab and requires reporting institutions to freeze property linked to designated individuals and report suspicious activity.
The inclusion of Laftagareen comes amid a months-long armed and political confrontation between his supporters and Somalia’s federal government.
Laftagareen was elected president of South West State in 2018 and remained in power until March, when federal forces took control of Baidoa following a bitter dispute between his administration and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government.
He subsequently left the regional capital, while fighters loyal to him continued to challenge the new administration established there.
Laftagareen-aligned forces have repeatedly attacked Baidoa since his removal, including major clashes in August and September that caused civilian casualties and overwhelmed local medical facilities.
The federal government has previously accused Laftagareen’s fighters of operating alongside al-Shabab during attacks on Baidoa. Laftagareen and his allies have denied cooperating with the militant group, and those allegations have not been independently verified.
Mahad Shub, another prominent figure on Tuesday’s sanctions list, previously commanded Somalia’s Custodial Corps before being dismissed in March amid worsening political tensions between Mogadishu and Laftagareen’s administration.
Shub later emerged as an outspoken opponent of the federal government. In September, he accused authorities and Türkiye of involvement in a strike on his residence in Doolow, allegations that were disputed and have not been independently established.
The sanctions decision marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s pressure on figures aligned with the former South West administration by moving beyond military and political accusations to restrictions on their financial activities.
The committee did not indicate whether those designated could appeal their inclusion on the list or what procedure would apply for seeking removal.
There was no immediate public response Tuesday from Laftagareen or Shub to their designation.