The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is to start paying a former leader of Al-Shabaab a monthly stipend of $7,000.
Mukhtar Robow, a former Al-Shabaab deputy leader, has been in detention since 2018.
This week, Abdullahi Nor, the Minister of Internal Security, wrote to Yasin Farey, the Acting Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) over this issue.
On December 28, Farey responded to Nor’s letter.
In the letter, Farey indicated that Robow is in good health and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree.
His comments on Robow’s health contradict those by the former militant leader.
In October 2021, Robow had informed the Voice of America (VOA) Somali Service that his health was not good.
Farey informed the internal security minister that Robow is yet to meet conditions for his release.
Specifically, he accused Robow of failing to denounce extremism.
In August 2017, Robow had surrendered to government forces while in Baidoa.
Afterward, he plunged headlong into politics but President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo’s administration never allowed him to vie for Southwest State leadership.