Mogadishu (SD) – Al-Shabaab is stepping up its efforts to inaugurate new traditional elders in areas under its control in parts of southern and central Somalia.

Al-Shabaab has previously announced new sultans in central Somalia, claiming to represent the tribes living under its rule.

Al-Shabaab has now announced a new sultan of the Sade clan in the Jubba regions, and a few days ago they announced the sultan of the Mudulod clan in the Jubba regions.

Al-Shabaab has previously announced other new sultans in central Somalia, claiming to represent the tribes living under its rule.

An al-Shabaab official said a decision had already been made to replace the Sultans, to mobilize the tribes, and that the sultan’s selection criteria included knowledge of weapons.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the official said that some traditional elders had been killed in the Al-Shabaab insurgency while others had been killed in US drone strikes.

Somali traditional leaders are set to select members of both houses of federal parliament, and its not clear how Al-Shabaab’s new scheme will affects the country’s long awaited elections.