The Ministry of Finance of Northeastern Somalia has issued a press release stating that some telecommunications companies and banks operating in the region have openly refused to pay their taxes and cooperate with the WBS government.
The press release stated that from January 2024 to September 2025, the ministry repeatedly sent letters and orders to these companies, but they responded with a clear refusal. It was also alleged that the companies were reluctant to move their headquarters to the capital, Las Anod.
The ministry added that the companies were engaged in “group organizing and illegal association” in an attempt to mislead the public and politicize government obligations regarding tax payments.
The Northeastern region has ordered the companies to respond individually to the letters sent to them, and to submit official proof of payment of their taxes to the public and relevant institutions.
The press release included a strong warning that “no one is above the law,” warning of the dire consequences of group organizing and confrontation against the government in northeastern Somalia.
A few days ago, telecommunications and banking companies operating in the Northeastern state of Somalia, including Amal, Telesom, Dahabshiil and Golis, spoke out strongly against the restrictions and closures imposed on some of their branches, describing the move as illegal.
The companies said the move had caused financial and reputational losses and prevented them from disbursing funds for so-called “state-building” projects, which they said were illegal.
They called on the president to immediately lift the restrictions and return to the rule of law.
