Thursday March 12, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s opposition-aligned Somali Future Council on Wednesday condemned what it described as the use of force against Bajaj drivers protesting soaring fuel prices, as well as the arrest of some drivers and journalists covering the demonstration.
In a press statement, the council said the drivers were peacefully expressing grievances over sharp increases in fuel costs and should not have faced intimidation or detention.
The council emphasized that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are fundamental rights in any system based on the rule of law and democratic principles. It warned that suppressing such rights risks deepening frustration among young people already facing economic hardship.
The remarks followed protests earlier Wednesday in Mogadishu, where auto rickshaw drivers blocked parts of the road between the Taleh and KM4 junctions. Hundreds of three-wheeled vehicles were parked across sections of the roadway, disrupting traffic as drivers demanded government intervention over fuel prices.
According to traders and transport operators, the price of gasoline in the capital has risen from about 65 cents per liter to roughly $1.50 in less than two weeks more than doubling in a short period.
The surge has placed heavy pressure on Bajaj operators and taxi drivers, who form the backbone of public transport in Mogadishu. Many say they may be forced to raise fares, a move likely to increase the cost of goods and services in a city already grappling with economic strain.
Some fuel traders attribute the spike to heightened tensions in the Middle East and potential disruptions to shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global oil supplies.
The Somali Future Council said it supports the drivers’ right to pursue their demands through peaceful and legal channels, urging authorities to address the underlying economic concerns rather than resort to force.
