Gangs on the Roads: Truck drivers in central Somalia to cease operations amidst growing roadblocks

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Gangs on the Roads: Truck drivers in central Somalia to cease operations amidst growing roadblocks

BELEDWEYNE (HORN OBSERVER) – Truck drivers plying the route between Mogadishu and the Hiiraan region have declared a halt to their operations due to a surge in roadblocks imposed by local armed militia groups demanding exorbitant payments from

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Armed men seen at a roadblock erected outside Masajid Ali Guduud in Middle Shabelle region.

BELEDWEYNE (HORN OBSERVER) – Truck drivers plying the route between Mogadishu and the Hiiraan region have declared a halt to their operations due to a surge in roadblocks imposed by local armed militia groups demanding exorbitant payments from vehicles transporting goods and passenger buses.

Expressing concern, Ahmed Mohamud, a driver, stated, "From Mogadishu to Moqokori, from Beledweyne to Matabaan in Hiiraan, there are dozens of new roadblocks, each manned by armed individuals demanding substantial payments we cannot afford. We have now decided to suspend our essential services due to this.”

Mohamud called on the Somali government to swiftly intervene, emphasizing that this transportation service is vital for connecting the capital to central regions where millions of people are reliant on humanitarian aid.

Typically utilized for transporting commercial goods, these trucks are also employed by local NGOs for distributing humanitarian aid. The cessation of these services poses a significant challenge to communities already grappling with crises, especially in flood-affected areas like Hiiraan.

Hiiraan, a region recently hit hard by flooding caused by El Nino, has witnessed the emergence of the Ma’awisley militia, displacing Al-Shabaab from major towns. However, the militia, facing unfulfilled government promises of payment, has resorted to erecting roadblocks on key routes connecting Mogadishu to central and southern regions.

Reports indicate approximately 10 new roadblocks between Mogadishu and Masajid Ali Gudud in the Middle Shabelle region. Alarming is the revelation that some government army commanders, involved with these militias, set up roadblocks, demonstrating a lack of accountability.

Jama Abdirisak, a businessman in Beledweyne, disclosed, "There are government army commanders who are part of the militia who erected these roadblocks, and there is no accountability for them.”

A government army commander in Moqokori was reported to have halted trucks, demanding extra payments for road usage. When truck drivers protested, they were instructed to either navigate through Al-Shabaab-controlled areas or acquiesce to the demands of the militia group in Moqokori.

Compounding the issue is an increase in robberies targeting civilian passengers and incidents of sexual violence against women travelers along these routes.

Despite attempts to seek comments, the Hiiraan Regional Governor and the Somali Ministry of Defense have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the mounting roadblocks, exacerbating the crisis on the roads.