Friday March 31, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali government has announced a ban on the importation of Bajaj auto-rickshaws, three-wheeled motorcycles, and motorcycles used for carrying goods. The ban is set to take effect on April 1, 2023.
During a weekly cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, the council stated that the number of motorcycles would be counted in April. Furthermore, the Banadir Regional Administration will mark all Bajaj auto-rickshaws with a special designation (A and B).
The council also declared that licenses for driving Bajaj motorcycles or other motorcycles would not be issued to individuals under 18 years of age.
The Ministry of Transport, Banadir Region administration, security agencies, and Federal Government Aviation have been assigned the responsibility of implementing these directives.
Recently, an advisory committee addressing issues faced by auto-rickshaw operators briefed Somalia's cabinet. The committee presented an
18-recommendations to resolve problems experienced by auto-rickshaw taxi drivers in Mogadishu.
Over the past year, at least a dozen auto-rickshaw drivers in Mogadishu have been killed by security forces, resulting in anti-police protests. Several perpetrators were tried in a military court and executed by a firing squad.
However, the council has not provided further details regarding the rationale behind the ban on importing Bajaj motorcycles into the country.