MOGADISHU (SD) – Al-Shabaab has denied recent claims by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud that al-Shabaab is funding militant groups in Mozambique and Nigeria.

Hassan Sheikh made the remarks while in Ankara, Turkey, where he held talks with his Turkish counterpart.

A statement from al-Shabaab posted on its social media platforms described the statement as ridiculous and baseless.

The statement added that Hassan Sheikh’s remarks were evidence that he was pursuing the interests of the so-called colonialists and putting foreign companies and their interests ahead of the interests of the Somali people.

Al-Shabaab said Hassan Sheikh’s remarks were part of a joint plan by Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey to loot Somalia’s resources.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BY AL SHABAAB BELOW