Hiiraan Online
Monday January 30, 2017
In this photo dated Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, A Somali traffic police officer stands at a Mogadishu junction in a vain effort to regulate cars and traffic movements in Mogadishu, Somalia. The traffic police officer yells, waves his arms and blows his whistle for car drivers to obey the traffic signals but many don't notice the signals. Many of the cars do not stop, and angered, the police officer steps into the middle of the road, as other cars encroach further, obstructing another lane of traffic and creating a scene of gridlock and the unarmed officer is forced to allow more cars to run the red light in order to clear the congestion. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali traffic police in Mogadishu are a main fixture on many of Mogadishu's main thoroughfares. They navigate drivers through Mogadishu's chaotic streets and many residents say they provide an indispensable service to the Somali public. However, many feel that they are targeted by attacks resulting in many of the compatriots being maimed and killed by militias and government troops.
In the past, Al-Shabaab has threatened to kill traffic cops they see on Mogadishu roads and true to their word, the group has launched regular attacks against the traffic police, leading to the government arming police to defend themselves.
However, one traffic cop we spoke with said that both militias and government troops target traffic police with immunity.
Ali Mohamud Ali is the commander of the traffic police. He said during his tenure three traffic police officers were murdered while over a dozen was seriously wounded.
'They are hit with vehicles while in the line of duty. They are turned away with gunshots. They are robbed of their weapons. Three were murdered while I have been serving this role and fifteen others were wounded' Ali Mohamud Ali said.
'It is unacceptable and is something that isn't in line with our nationhood. It is a violation of our rights and governance'. He added.
The government troops are also accused of breaching traffic rules especially by regularly travelling towards oncoming traffic. This violation often leads to confrontation and sometimes escalation of violence between troops and the traffic police who's task it is to maintain order on Mogadishu's busy streets.
Somalia's traffic police relaunched in 2011 After nearly two decades of violence and political instability. Street lights have been erected and the government has even begun issuing driver's licenses, despite this, Somalia still lacks a codified set of traffic laws which makes governance that much more difficult. Despite this traffic police issue fines, and tow cars that impede the flow of traffick. The Traffic police resemble a return to normalcy for many of Mogadishu's residents who by and large welcome their presence