(16-07-23) MOGADISHU – Baidoa, the administrative hub for the Southwest State in Somalia, is buckling under the strain of sanctions imposed by the extremist group Al-Shabaab. For several weeks, the blockade, controlling all roads to Baidoa from Mogadishu, a distance of 223 kilometres, has significantly crippled the transportation of food and other vital goods.
The city of Baidoa heavily relies on Mogadishu’s port for its supply of food and essential items. With Al-Shabaab’s control of these crucial roads, the city is experiencing an alarming scarcity of resources. This has resulted in an economic crunch, with a dramatic surge in prices for daily commodities and essentials. The cost of fuel per litre has inflated to between 1.5 and 2 dollars, while a glass of milk is now sold at a whopping 3 dollars.
Even the city’s water and electricity companies have not been spared, facing threats from Al-Shabaab and no fuel for their companies. The implications of these threats could lead to a humanitarian crisis if power and water supplies are disrupted.
In a bid to address this crisis, a high-level security meeting was convened on Saturday, involving key army officers, ministers, and district officials. The administration of Southwest State declared its firm stance against Al-Shabaab’s blockade.
Deputy Commissioner of the Baidoa District Administration, Isaaq Mohamed Ali, strongly denounced the soaring prices, calling further increases on essential food items unacceptable. He declared a strict stand against such practices from 15th July 2023 onward.
Meanwhile, despite the threats from Al-Shabaab, Southwest Security Minister Mohamed Isaaq Abdi assured the public that the route between Mogadishu and Baidoa remains operational. However, this assurance is marred by the reality that truck drivers have been threatened to halt the transportation of goods from Mogadishu.
The meeting concluded with a resolute commitment to combating Al-Shabaab’s sanctions. Authorities have announced their intention to launch an operation to open the blocked roads and restore the supply chain of essential goods to Baidoa.
