MOGADISHU — 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 in the capital, as well as the arrest of some drivers and journalists covering the demonstration.
In a statement, the council said the drivers had been peacefully expressing grievances over sharp increases in fuel costs and should not have faced intimidation or detention. “It is unacceptable that young people who are creating jobs and contributing to the country’s economy are suppressed through arrest or force,” the council said.
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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 surged from about 65 cents per liter to roughly $1.50 in less than two weeks — more than doubling in a short period. The spike has squeezed Bajaj operators and taxi drivers who form the backbone of Mogadishu’s public transport network and whose margins are tied tightly to daily fuel costs.
Drivers and transport owners warned that if prices remain elevated, they will be forced to raise fares, a move likely to ripple through an already strained city economy by increasing the cost of goods and services. For many residents who rely on Bajajs for routine commutes and small-scale commerce, higher fares would add to daily hardship.
Some fuel traders attributed the surge to heightened tensions in the Middle East and potential disruptions to critical maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments. Any impediment in those supply lines can rapidly lift wholesale prices and filter through to street-level pumps in import-dependent markets like Somalia.
The Somali Future Council framed the response to the protests as a test of rule-of-law norms and democratic principles, emphasizing that peaceful demonstration and freedom of expression are protected rights. It warned that suppressing those rights risks deepening frustration among young people who already face steep economic headwinds.
The council said it supports the drivers’ right to pursue their demands through peaceful and legal channels and urged authorities to address the underlying economic concerns rather than focus on enforcement actions. The group also called for the release of detainees and for journalists to be allowed to report without harassment.
What’s at stake for Mogadishu’s streets and economy:
- Fuel prices have more than doubled in under two weeks, from about $0.65 to roughly $1.50 per liter, according to traders and transport operators.
- Bajaj drivers mounted a major protest by blocking parts of a key corridor between Taleh and KM4, halting traffic and drawing citywide attention.
- The Somali Future Council condemned what it called the use of force and arrests of drivers and journalists and urged a rights-respecting approach.
- Operators warn higher fares could follow, raising living costs across the city as transport is central to commerce and daily life.
- Traders cite geopolitical tensions and possible shipping disruptions, including at the Strait of Hormuz, as drivers of the price spike.
As the city weighs the fallout, the transport sector’s shock underscores how quickly global energy volatility can cascade into local economies, compounding pressures on workers and households alike. Whether the government moves to cushion the surge — through targeted relief, regulatory steps or engagement with fuel importers — will help determine if tensions on Mogadishu’s streets ease or escalate in the days ahead.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
Thursday March 12, 2026
