The latest edict announced from loudspeakers perched on cars is a sign the militants are intent on stamping their own strict laws on areas they still control, after withdrawing from the heart of Mogadishu early last month.

Residents of camp settlements at Kilometer 13, Elasha, Lafole and Afgoy on the outskirts of Mogadishu said the rebels, who have banned musical ringtones, movies and dancing at weddings, have warned residents they could face a court if they fail to comply within a month.

“They already started tearing down the main shop signs last night after they imposed a curfew in the town. They ordered us to change signs into Arabic, which can’t be understood by the people, since most understand either Somali or English,” Abdi Jamal, a businessman in Kilometer 13 said.

Al-Shabab has been waging an insurgency since 2007 against the Western-backed government in a bid to impose its own strict version of Shariah law across the anarchic Horn of Africa nation.

Al-Shabab controls large chunks of southern and central Somalia and was camped in the capital until its fighters pulled back in August, saying it was a tactical move.

Somalia has been going through cycles of violence with no effective central government since the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

In a sign the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group may be facing a funding shortage, camp residents said the militants had forced people to pay an annual Islamic donation in advance.

“Al-Shabab has taken zakat (donation) from all business owners this week, but it is the wrong time,” shopkeeper Ali Dicisow told Reuters from Elasha.

“They have taken 2.5 percent of our cash and of the value of our stock. We had to give the exact amount required because anyone who miscalculated his wealth would risk Al-Shabab taking away half of it. This week, we unwillingly paid next year’s Zakat in advance,” he said.

Residents also described an atmosphere of fear since Al-Shabab cemented their rule on the camp towns after they withdrew from Mogadishu.

“No two people can talk together in the streets. We mention Al-Shabab’s name in whispers and only in houses. Women who go out just to pour dirty water are grabbed and jailed if they do not have the heavy veils,” resident Osman Qeyley told Reuters from Lafole town.

“We have no hope at all. All Al-Shabab leaders are here with their fighters and the government has no power to reach us. We know Al-Shabab will not allow us to move to Mogadishu if the government approaches here,” he said.