Mogadishu (AX) – With an air of both determination and urgency, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stepped up to address the nation with a poignant message: taxes matter. In a country grappling with financial instability, his administration is poised to launch a far-reaching tax collection initiative in the days to come. The message was clear as he spoke to the people of Mogadishu on Monday.
President Mohamud extended an appeal, perhaps even a plea, for cooperation, underscoring a fundamental tenet of civic duty—the timely payment of taxes by citizens and businesses alike. A society functions best when everyone plays their part, right? So, what happens when some choose not to? The government, he warned, is prepared to act decisively. “If you hear that the government has detained people for not paying taxes, it’s not the government in error—it’s the defaulters. Many among us duly fulfill their responsibilities and face no quarrels,” he remarked with an earnest gaze. “To those facing consequences, your answer is simple, ‘Pay your taxes.’”
The president shifted his focus to the business community, something he seemed particularly passionate about, reminding them of the crucial link between the taxes they remit and the well-being of their enterprises. “The safeguarding of your businesses, their very essence, hinges on the funds collected from our taxes. It is incumbent upon each of us to meet these responsibilities,” he asserted, almost as if he were speaking directly to each entrepreneur by name.
His words resonate against a backdrop of strain and dissent between business owners and the Ministry of Finance. The environment is thick with discontent over existing tax policies, murmurs that have led to the temporary shuttering of Bakaara Market—Africa’s veritable labyrinth of commerce. Similarly, sections of Hamarweyne and Suuq Bacaad markets have seen their stalls empty and echoing. It’s a stark reminder of the tension simmering beneath the surface.
And as if the specter of economic uncertainty were not formidable enough, there looms another shadow in the form of Al-Shabaab. This insurgent group has escalated its campaign of intimidation and extortion against businesses, injecting yet another layer of precariousness into an already volatile economic climate.
Reflecting on this situation, one might ask: Is it mere coincidence that this campaign arises as these challenges mount? Or is there a deeper strategy at play, leveraging taxation not just as a fiscal necessity but as a tool for national stability and unity? For every skeptical voice, there are those who see this as a pivotal moment—a chance to redefine the social contract between the state and its people.
Behind closed doors, in the private conversations happening across Mogadishu’s tea shops and corridors of power, this tax campaign is both heralded and criticized. Some recall the words of a fellow Somali, a poet and thinker, who once said, “A river that forgets its source will surely run dry.” It’s a reminder that the nation’s fortunes are truly interdependent.
Yet, the question remains: Will the people see this not as an imposition but as a lifeline? The answer, perhaps, lies in how this administration wields its newfound resolve—not just by enforcing the law, but by earning trust and delivering on promises.
As these scenes unfold, one thing is certain: the times are indeed compelling. As Somalia stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, the coming weeks will test the resilience and adaptability of its people and leaders alike.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
