Farmaajo Condemns Arrests of Bajaj Drivers After Somalia Fuel Price Protests

Farmaajo condemns arrests of Bajaj drivers as Mogadishu fuel price spike sparks protests

Thursday March 12, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo on Wednesday condemned the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Bajaj drivers who staged protests in Mogadishu over soaring fuel prices and rising living costs.

In a statement, Farmaajo criticized authorities for detaining drivers he said were demonstrating peacefully to express concerns about inflation and worsening economic conditions. He urged the government to halt what he described as a crackdown on protesters and to release those arrested without delay.

“Citizens have the right to express their grievances peacefully,” Farmaajo said, encouraging drivers to continue advocating for their rights through lawful and nonviolent means.

Protests snarl key Mogadishu corridor

The remarks came hours after hundreds of auto rickshaw drivers blocked sections of the artery linking the Taleh and KM4 junctions, disrupting traffic in a visible show of frustration over the sharp rise in fuel prices. The spontaneous blockade underscored the leverage Bajaj operators hold in Mogadishu, where they provide much of the day-to-day public transport for commuters and small businesses.

Fuel prices more than double in two weeks

According to traders and transport operators, the price of gasoline in Mogadishu has surged from about 65 cents per liter to roughly $1.50 in less than two weeks — more than doubling in a short period. That jump, drivers say, pushes an already thin margin to the breaking point.

Many Bajaj operators and taxi drivers report they may be forced to raise fares to stay on the road, a move that risks amplifying the cost of moving people and goods across the capital. With household budgets already stretched, any increase in transport costs could ripple through food prices and basic services.

Global tensions cited for supply concerns

Some fuel suppliers have linked the price spike to escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns over shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil supplies. While local distribution dynamics also shape prices in Somalia, the rapid escalation in a matter of days has heightened anxiety among consumers and small operators dependent on affordable fuel.

Call for restraint and dialogue

Farmaajo’s intervention places additional pressure on authorities as they navigate public anger over inflation and a transport lifeline under strain. His appeal for restraint and the immediate release of detainees reflects growing political scrutiny over how security forces respond to demonstrations in the capital.

Advocates for the drivers argue that deescalation and dialogue are essential to prevent further disruptions and to avert knock-on effects that could compound Mogadishu’s economic hardship. Community leaders have urged a swift, transparent review of any arrests and a coordinated approach to stabilize fuel supplies.

No public tally of arrests

Authorities have not publicly responded to Farmaajo’s statement and have yet to detail the number of arrests made during Wednesday’s protests. As Mogadishu residents brace for potential fare hikes and supply bottlenecks, transport operators say they will monitor prices in the coming days before deciding whether to resume broader protest actions.

The situation remains fluid, with drivers, traders and commuters closely watching whether fuel prices stabilize — and whether the government moves to address the grievances that sent hundreds into the streets.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.