Somalia
Somalia: Mogadishu residents protest about robberies committed by Somali forces
By
Aug 4, 2012 - 9:38:17 AM

MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 4 2012 ( Garowe Online) – Hundreds protested in Mogadishu’s Huriwa district about a spate of robberies which protestors are claiming were committed by Somali forces, Garowe Online reports.

Protestors who spoke to local media said that the robberies are committed by Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops who target stores, warehouses and vendors at night.

One protestor who spoke to local media said that the robberies are daily occurrence and have ceased to stop even after formal complaints to government.

“These robberies occur every night and shop owners return to their shops in the morning to find their store has been raided, we have talked to officials in Mogadishu but it hasn’t stopped,” said Mohamed Ma’alin.

Protestors were adamant that TFG forces were committing the robberies because they patrol the markets of Mogadishu at night.

“Who else could be robbing these vendors, these forces are the only people who travel at night and most are stationed near busy markets in Mogadishu,” said Mr. Ma’alin.

A majority of the protestors had closed their shops on Saturday to highlight their problem to Mogadishu residents and officials. However, this is the second protest by Mogadishu shop owners in the past week and TFG Mogadishu officials have yet to comment on the problem.

Just 30 kms west of Mogadishu in Afgoye, there has been reports of abuse and robbery committed by TFG forces, so much so that TFG President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed visited the corridor three times since it was captured in June.    

In the three visits to Afgoye, President Sharif met with community leaders, military and police officials to try to put an end to the violence and abuse.

In his last visit he warned top military officials in the town that he would hold them accountable for the actions of the military stationed in Afgoye.

GAROWE ONLINE