Gobonimo Market Blaze Underlines Ongoing Vulnerabilities in Hargeisa’s Commercial Centers
Hargeisa (AX) — The tranquil evening air of Hargeisa was ruptured by a blaze, a fire that engulfed Gobonimo Market on Saturday. This incident starkly highlighted the underlying weaknesses of the city’s vital trading zones. Are these catastrophic events becoming all too commonplace in a city heavily reliant on its markets?
The North Western State of Somalia Police, through a succinct press release, confirmed the deployment of both officers and firefighters to the market. They hustled against time, trying to cage the ferocious flames from leaping into adjacent buildings. As their statement underscored, “The North Western State of Somalia Police Force quickly responded to the fire at Gobonimo Market and is actively working to contain it with assistance from the Fire Department.”
Hargeisa’s Mayor, Abdikarim Mooge, a usually stoic figure, found himself rattled by the sheer devastation. Recalling his assertion in a voice laced with urgency, Mooge labeled the fire a “shocking disaster,” beseeching the city’s inhabitants to rally. It’s moments like these that question the resilience of community bonds. “I call on everyone to contribute in any way possible to help extinguish the flames and support those who have lost their livelihoods,” Mooge implored.
North Western State of Somalia dances to the rhythms of informal trade; it’s a lifeline for many. But how fragile is this lifeline? The proximate cause of the inferno remains shrouded in uncertainty. While initial hypotheses sway towards electrical issues or perilous storage of combustible materials, a thorough investigation is now underway. Local officials echo the need for stringent safety standards — a plea oft-repeated yet seemingly elusive.
Gobonimo Market’s combustion is not an isolated calamity but rather a continuation of misfortunate pyres plaguing Hargeisa’s economic districts. Waaheen Market, esteemed once as the nucleus of the city’s fiscal life, was ravaged two years prior. Thousands of traders were displaced, casualties to the fiery beast, as millions-worth of goods turned to ash. The catastrophe quaked the city’s economic foundations, as reflected in the sorrow-laden eyes of those who watched their dreams aflame.
Fast forward to September 2023, Wajaale Market reverberated under similar conditions, further unsettling the region’s economic stability. Are we also to ponder on the wider implications for the Somali territory? Consider the infernos that have crippled major markets in places like Jigjiga, Mogadishu, and beyond. These incidents underscore a pattern of economic perturbation.
As flames danced from the heart of Gobonimo Market, casting an ominous glow across the city, the residents of Hargeisa stood in collective disbelief. What thoughts flickered through their minds as they watched the fire’s voracious appetite consume shops and threaten the safety of surrounding edifices? Such poignant scenes often leave more questions than answers.
These are not mere accidents of fate but rather stark reminders of the vulnerabilities woven into our urban infrastructures. Will this latest catastrophe compel meaningful change, or will the embers simply be left to cool until ignited again?
Edited by Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
