Ali Naji The Smuggling Network and terrorist based in Somalia

Sources have revealed that Gulf-based businessmen and Al-Shabaab are benefitting from the trade in illegal charcoal that is worth millions of dollars, in meantime Al-Shabaab’s current lack of port access in Southern Somalia makes smuggling and taxing shipments more difficult, though corruption within the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which is controlling southern Somali ports along with elements of the Jubaland government administration has allowed Al-Shabaab’s activities to continue.

Local workers at the port in Kismayo informed us that the export of charcoal — the backbone of revenue for al-Shabaab, Jubaland and many Gulf-based businessmen — continues in spite of being banned by the UN security council.

Local workers at the port and journalists in Kismayo told us the port tax on illegally exported charcoal is around $3 a bag, split three ways between the Jubaland administration, Gulf businessmen and Al-Shabaab. Until recently, the export volume was around 1 million bags a month equaling revenue of $24 million a year. Al-Shabaab also taxes charcoal production before the bags reach the port and it has a stake in the market value of the cargo when it reaches its destinations in the Middle East.

The UN has documented numerous instances in its yearly reports of individuals smuggling Somali charcoal, with some key unsanctioned individuals flagged in consecutive years. The authorities in the Arab Gulf countries are aware of the criminal networks and of the illegal charcoal shipments. To circumvent the port authorities in the Arab Gulf countries the smugglers use fake paperwork declaring the charcoal shipment legal (of non-Somali origin) and when required, bribes.

These individuals and businesses involved in the illegal charcoal trade are providing a lifeline to Al-Shabaab by violating the UN’s 2012 ban on exporting Somali charcoal. This continued trade allows Al-Shabaab to tax charcoal shipments and engage in money laundering.

The businessmen at the center of the charcoal trade include Basheer Khalif Moosa (aka. Bashir Khalif Musse) a Djiboutian national residing in Dubai, who was repeatedly identified by the UN in its yearly reports for the last 3 years. Also, Ali Ahmed Naaji, a former government worker of the Jubaland administration who for many years has been one of the key players in Somali charcoal smuggling. Both of these individuals have close ties with the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Modabe as well as Al-Shabaab.

The charcoal market is controlled by a small number of professional traders, who are based in Kismayo and these individuals act as brokers for larger traders based mainly in the United Arab Emirates. All the Somalia-Dubai based traders deal with al-Shabaab in one way or another, and some are representatives of the terrorist group.

Multiple confirmed reports have indicated that the company “All Star Group” coordinates with the suppliers of illegal Somali charcoal, traffickers, and Al-Shabaab. The head of the company, Basheer Khalif Moosa, conducts his illegal operations through the business also named “All Star General Trading Company”, that works with suppliers, traffickers, and investors in Kismayo and Dubai.

The below written contract confirms that a long-time associates of the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Modabe are currently board members of the “All Star Group” including a former Al-Shabaab tax collector, Ali Ahmed Naaji. The contract letter indicates that apart from Basheer Khalif Moosa and Ali Ahmed Naaji there are 6 other businessmen who mostly are based in Dubai.