MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — A wave of targeted assassinations has left Mogadishu residents in fear and has placed enormous strain on the local business community, with recent killings underscoring the growing risk to those seeking to operate in the capital.
In the latest incident, prominent businessman Gaagaale was shot dead in Mogadishu’s Yaqshid neighborhood in the last 24 hours.
His murder was quickly followed by another deadly attack on a businessman in Elasha Biyaha, a community located on the outskirts of Mogadishu.
These incidents highlight an intensifying trend of violence against local business owners, which analysts warn could undermine the city’s already fragile economy.
This spike in targeted killings comes after the Somali government issued a directive requiring businesses to install CCTV cameras as part of an effort to bolster security and monitor criminal activities in urban areas.
However, Al-Shabaab militants have retaliated by targeting business owners who complied with the government mandate, viewing their actions as collusion with security forces.
The result has been a chilling effect on Mogadishu’s commercial activities, with many business owners expressing concerns for their safety and considering either suspending operations or reducing compliance with security measures to avoid being targeted.
Local leaders and members of the business community are urging the government to increase protective measures for business owners and address the security vacuum that is driving businesses to the brink of closure.
While the government has pledged to step up its efforts to combat militant threats, many residents are angered that security personel only arrive daytime and leave in the afternoon.
The business community are saying effective interventions are needed to protect the lives and livelihoods of Mogadishu’s business community.
As fear ripples through the capital, the ongoing violence poses significant challenges to economic stability and the resilience of Mogadishu’s communities, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to securing peace and protecting Somalia’s entrepreneurs.