Al-Shabaab enforcing its Sharia concept in Somalia

Al-Shabaab seeks to impose the provisions of Islamic law (Sharia) and calls for jihad (holy war).

The Qaeda-leaning movement also believes that this jihad has no geographical limits. On this basis, it launched numerous attacks in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Uganda and other regions.

In Somalia, the movement collects an Islamic tax (Zakat) by extortion. It punishes those who refuse to pay the tax or disagree with it, accusing them of espionage, a charge that merits the capital punishment.

Al-Shabaab has formed what can be called a 'parallel' government in Somalia. Its government contains around 12 ministries, whose names change from time to time.

It sometimes merges ministries into one another and eliminates others.

The ministries are controlled by people who are members of al-Shabaab's Council of Conservatives.

Al-Shabaab has two other councils, namely the Executive Council and the Consultative Council.

The Executive Council is made up of the leaders of the various departments. It is the strongest and most influential body inside the movement.

The movement consists of different departments, including a media department, a department for taxes and another for Zakat.

Al-Shabaab also has education departments and security fronts of all types. It also has governors in the areas it controls, along with a shadow government.

The government helps the movement maintain its influence over local communities.

The movement also has local courts and a justice system. It collect taxes from ordinary people in the areas it controls. It also collects taxes from companies and businessmen in the areas it controls.

Al-Shabaaab officials and operatives contact locals, threaten and blackmail them into paying the taxes.

Those who refuse to pay the tax are subject to punishment, sometimes amounting to death.