Traders in Bakaro Market Suspend Business, Claim Punitive Gov’t Measures, Police Extortions

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Traders in Bakaro, Mogadishu’s largest market have closed businesses over what they termed as punitive tax and administrative measures by the government, interference by security agencies and extortion by the police.

In a statement Saturday, the traders said they reached the decision following failed attempts to engage with the government. They accused the Ministry of Finance of imposing punitive measures including setting salary scales for employees among other actions.

On December 18, 2024, new measures by the Ministry of Finance came into effect forcing the closure of the market which serves the capital and various regions in the country.

Among the new requirements is Employee Registration, Merchant Registration, Account Registration, Quality Control and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

In their protest today, the traders also claimed that officers from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) were frustrating them by shutting down businesses over non-payment of taxes.

Additionally, the traders said police officers were conducting rounds extorting them of money without any basis in law.

They called for the government to stop the interference and give room for dialogue to resolve the impasse.