MOGADISHU, SOMALIA—The 30-year-old sitting in the home of Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security is a wanted man. There is a U.S. warrant for his arrest and a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture and conviction.
Liban Haji Mohamed is charged with providing material support and resources to Al Shabab, Al Qaeda’s East Africa branch. If he went home to northern Virginia and was found guilty, chances are he would spend many years in jail.
Which is why he says he is never leaving Somalia. And the Somali government is not going to force him.
“I believe people should have an option in life. If you make your mistake, accept your mistake, leave this behaviour,” Mohamed tells me. “The government still keeps track of you. Our communications are monitored. We’re not engaged in any illegal activities. If I was, the CIA would pick me up in one second.” He snaps his fingers.
Mohamed is part of Somalia’s amnesty program, which allows former Shabab members to surrender without prosecution. He is one of a handful of foreign members who have defected — men and women of Somali heritage who grew up Europe, Australia, or the U.S.
