Hiiraan Online
Friday, July 3, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) - Almost everyday the parts of the road system in Mogadishu are closed to the public for hours and sometimes the entire day. The roads are closed by the Police, Army and the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISA), Somalia’s counterterrorism agency. All the three agencies say that this measure is taken for the purpose of protecting the public from harm.
“The reason we have to close the roads is because we have to look after everyone’s safety and protect our citizens, lawmakers and leaders from harm,” said a district police officer stationed near the parliament building.
“It’s not nice we know but we have to think about security. This is important in Mogadishu everyday,” added his colleague who is also stationed near parliament.
Despite the reasons provided by the security forces, many ordinary citizens believe that the leaders of the country close the road as and when they please to facilitate their own movements.
“When the President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament are leaving and coming back, all the roads are closed. When Parliamentarians are meeting for a session the roads are closed for hours on end past parliament and when foreign dignitaries come to visit the entire road system is sometimes closed,” said a frustrated taxi driver who spoke to HOL after been rerouted from his original destination by a Police roadblock. “Only MP’s and others people can go through these roadblocks.”
Local residents and traders living on the main routes to the airport and Villa Somalia are especially vulnerable to roadblocks.
“Last weeks on 26th June celebration Hamrweyne was locked down all night disrupting and totally stopping traffic between Harmweyne and other parts of the city,” said an angry trader who did not want to be named. “This happens regularly and traders lose money especially in Ramadan and local communities are scared because of the risk the heavy security in the area brings.”
“I always lose money when parliament is meeting because it is hard to get to my shop,” said a greengrocer who did not want to be named. “By the time the road opens is it past any decent period of trade.”
While all interviewed agreed that security was the key factor informing the roadblocks, most agreed that they could be done better and be for a shorter period. They all agreed that early information would help them plan their travels and business practices.
“The road can be closed at anytime without warning. Just like that,” said Ahmed Ali, a store owner on the Maka-Al-Mukarama road. “All you can do is sit in your shop and this is a waste of my time because customers with cars cannot come and even those walking are harassed when they are allowed to walk.”
“I have been late to work at least once a week since I started work this January because of these roadblocks,” said Mohamed Idris who is employed by an international NGO. “It is a big inconvenience but luckily my employer understands.”
Many questioned the value of the roadblocks too with some arguing that the police and other security agencies managing the roads sometimes allowed friends they knew to pass while refusing the other people.
A senior security officer speaking on the condition of anonymity admitted that the roadblocks were poorly managed, timed and caused real problems for the general public. However, he said that this process was crucial for strengthening the security of the city and protecting its citizens from terrorism.