Hope Resurfaces in Bay and Bakool Regions

In a landmark moment for the communities of Bay and Bakool regions, roads that had been blocked by Al-Shabaab since 2012 have recently reopened following a pivotal agreement reached between local elders and the militant group. This development marks a turning point for many who have endured hardships for over a decade. Can you imagine living in constant fear of basic interactions, confined to treacherous off-road routes just to obtain essential goods?

Before the blockade was lifted, residents and traders resorted to smuggling their goods through perilous paths—routes that often stretched over five days—risking everything for survival. Those who fell victim to Al-Shabaab found their merchandise set ablaze and their modes of transport confiscated. Today, a renewed sense of hope is palpable, as individuals like Salad can now safely navigate the once-risky roads between Hudur, Wajid, Burdhuhunle, and Rabdhure, breathing life back into their communities.

“When the blockade began,” Salaad recalls, “we lived as if we were invisible. We turned off our phones, left them behind—anything to avoid being tracked.” This fear lasted three agonizing years, during which he struggled to find work. “Aid from relatives was all we survived on. Sometimes, we only managed to cook once every 24 hours, and there were days when we went to bed hungry.”

Yet, in the last two weeks of April, Salaad turned a corner, completing multiple trips, transporting goods and passengers from Baidoa to various towns, and earning a modest $300. A dedicated father with a family of six, he’s finally begun to relieve the financial burdens that weighed heavily on him. “I had debts piling up—$250 owed for a well, electricity bills, and school fees for my children who had to leave school due to unpaid dues,” he explained. “With this new income, I’m slowly paying things off—$5 here, $4 there, $3 elsewhere. I’m hopeful I’ll clear everything, God willing.”

Four of his children are school-aged, and while he has managed to enroll two, financial constraints make it challenging to send them all to school. “I don’t own a motorbike; what I earn mainly goes to food,” he admits. Yet, amid these hurdles, there is a glimmer of optimism for what the future may hold.

During a harrowing incident in 2022, Salaad faced an Al-Shabaab ambush, resulting in the seizure of the rented motorbike he was using. They set fire to the goods he was transporting, worth approximately $700, and sought a ransom of $200 for the motorbike—a price he simply could not afford. Fortunately, a local agreement offered him some reprieve, as he was exempted from paying for the active losses sustained during the attack.

Meanwhile, another resilient figure, Sulameyman Muqtar Ibrahim, a father of ten, eagerly returned to work transporting goods via a donkey cart on April 18. Having lost his cart and its contents twice to Al-Shabaab attacks, he had been deprived of income and a means to feed his family. “Now that the road has reopened, our situation has noticeably improved,” he shared. “Donkey carts used to be targets, but now we travel freely and safely. Those who can walk, do; those with vehicles, use them.”

Supported by relatives who pooled together $150, Sulameyman was able to acquire a new donkey cart, presenting him with another chance to provide for his family. Charging between $20 and $30 per trip, primarily to destinations like Abagbeday and Hudur, he has found a renewed sense of purpose. “The cost of living has lowered remarkably. A half-sack of rice, once $30, is now down to $16. We can buy rice, flour, maize—whatever we need. I feel relieved knowing I no longer solely depend on outside assistance,” he professed.

For small traders, the recent lifting of the blockade has invigorated market activity significantly. Fadumo Dahir Aali, a single mother caring for six orphaned children in Wajid district, is among those who have reopened her small shop after a five-year hiatus due to high prices and lack of supplies. “Since April 15, I’ve reordered supplies twice, including clothes and vegetables. Goods come easily now; if ordered in the morning, they arrive by evening,” she explained.

Despite the progress, Fadumo explains that financial stability still eludes her. “I reopened my business with a loan, and while it covers daily needs, I’m not fully self-sufficient yet. We used to get just dinner; now, we’re able to enjoy breakfast and dinner, and we hope to add lunch soon!”

As she looks toward the future, Fadumo hopes to enroll two of her school-aged children in classes. She has also begun to chip away at a $200 debt incurred during the toughest times. After more than a decade of isolation, lives across the Bay and Bakool regions are gradually returning to normalcy. Daily labor, small businesses, and transport services are reviving, bringing much-needed relief to families who have endured poverty and fear for far too long. However, has the recent Somali government offensive against Al-Shabaab played a role in this renaissance? What more can be done to sustain this newfound hope?

This transformative journey is a testament to resilience—each story intertwines to paint a picture of recovery, demonstrating that hope remains even in the darkest of circumstances. As we celebrate these positive changes, the road to full recovery is ongoing, paved with challenges but illuminated by cooperative efforts, perseverance, and unwavering faith.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring