NAIROBI, 18 November 2009 (IRIN) – Escalating violence in the Somali town of Galkayo, Mudug region, is creating a climate of fear, which in turn has adversely affected livelihoods, residents say. 

Cases of killings and explosions have increased in the past six weeks, with the business community attributing the trend to the demolition of a market and subsequent displacement and desperation of dozens of small-scale traders. 

“The current climate of insecurity is affecting all aspects of our lives, including the ability to make a living,” Fuad Abshir, a businessman in Galkayo, told IRIN. 

Abshir said the town’s authorities had been promising to do something about the deteriorating security situation but nothing had changed. 

Abdiqani Hassan, another businessman, said he was now closing his shop much earlier than he used to due to insecurity. “I close three to four hours earlier than I did before, which impacts on how much business I do.” 

Hassan said security forces had exacerbated the situation by firing indiscriminately whenever explosions or gunshots were heard. 

Abshir blamed the insecurity, in part, on the demolition of a market for small traders on 29 October by the authorities. “They demolished a market of hundreds of small traders without providing an alternative.” 

He said he suspected that many of the displaced traders were on the streets and “will do anything to survive”. He urged the authorities to address the problems of the traders “as a priority, before things go from bad to worse”. 

In addition, the police had been lax in addressing the insecurity, he claimed. 

Abshir said businesses paid taxes “and those taxes should be used to provide services such as security to the people”. 

Maryan Hashi, a mother of seven, was a small trader in the Suqa Bankiga market, demolished for security and health reasons. “I was not rich but I had a decent life and never asked for help from anyone to feed my children. Now I have nothing,” she told IRIN. 

She said the market supported hundreds of families who are now destitute and urged the authorities to address the issue. 

Khalif Abdi Dala, an official at the Centre for Peace and Development in Galkayo, said the demolition had hit low-income families hardest. 

“This was a place where low-income people eked out a living,” Dala said. “It is a problem and the government needs to address it.” 

However, he said, “there is no serious security problem at the moment and what there is, is being addressed”. 

Ahmed Ali Salad, the governor of Mudug region, said “although Galkayo has had some problems, we are dealing with it. 

“Galkayo is better placed than most in Somalia and our security situation is under control,” he said. The security forces were redoubling their efforts. 

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IRIN

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