Three Bajaj Drivers and Female Journalist Injured Amid Mogadishu Protests

by: Horn Observer Contributor | 16 August 2024 19:47

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Three Bajaj Drivers and Female Journalist Injured Amid Mogadishu Protests

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) - At least three Bajaj drivers and a local female journalist were injured in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday following widespread protests by local rickshaw taxi drivers.

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Police cars run towards tuktuk drivers' protesters in Mogadishu.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (HORN OBSERVER) - At least three Bajaj drivers and a local female journalist were injured in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday following widespread protests by local rickshaw taxi drivers.

The drivers were protesting against what they described as increased extortion and bribes by government forces in the city.

The protest began in the KM4 area after the Tuk Tuk drivers announced their strike. The protest later escalated as they marched to the main Maka Al Mukarama Road and areas near the presidential palace.

Mogadishu police, led by their commander Mahdi Omar Muumin (Moalim Mahdi), a former Al-Shabaab defector, responded to the protest by firing shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Police vehicles then began driving toward the young Tuk Tuk drivers to force them to disband.

"We were marching on the KM4 junction when the police car came. We tried to speak to them, but suddenly they sped off and hit three protesters," said Abdi Mohamed, one of the protesters.

A video captured the incident, showing two different police vehicles speeding through different areas of the protest and hitting the demonstrators.

Mohamed Rashid Nur, another Tuk Tuk driver, stated that the protest was peaceful and that the drivers were simply demanding security and safety from armed men who extort them daily.

"We pay taxes every month. We pay other fees. But now they demand extra under different names such as registration, painting, and these are armed police who want to take our money by force. We cannot accept that," he said.

Abdiazis Yusuf Ali, another driver, recounted how he had renewed his driving license at an increased cost, even paying additional bribes to receive it.

"I also paid more to get my license. Then I was asked to pay $18 for road tax, which I did. Then they asked for $150 extra. How is that possible? This Bajaj earns very little, which doesn't even cover my family's daily meals. I have no other job, so how can we survive?" he asked.

As the armed police chased the protesters, journalists were also targeted. Just before midday, BTN TV reporter Hibo Mohamoud was injured when a police 4WD vehicle struck her Bajaj taxi.

"They could see the journalist with her logo microphone, so they chased her until the police car hit the Bajaj taxi from the rear, injuring the female journalist," said Ahmed Hassan, a colleague.

Hibo was hospitalized with a severe leg injury, and doctors later performed surgery on her leg.

"My leg was not broken but the leg but there is a huge cut between the knee and the ankle. I got surgery. I couldn't find anywhere to flee as the soldiers in the car were shooting indiscriminately," Hibo added.

The police have not responded to requests for clarification.