Traders in Hiiraan Decry Collapse of Businesses Due to Extortions, Minister Pledges Action

GOOBJOOG NEWS|HIIRAAN: Traders in Hiiraan region have lamented about the collapse of their businesses following increased checkpoints in the region.

Speaking during a meeting with Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire, the traders said they were forced to abandon their business over extortions in various checkpoints.

According to an account narrated by the Minister, one trader said he had not transported his livestock to the market for eight months because of indiscriminate and punitive extortions in checkpoints leading to main markets.

“People are being harassed on this long road, and this cannot be tolerated,” the minister said. He pledged action to end the checkpoints.

Checkpoints are a common feature in major roads especially in central and southern regions, as various groups scramble for money from road users most of whom are traders, farmers and livestock keepers.

While Al-Shabaab and other criminal networks have been known to operate checkpoints, government forces have also in the past been singled out as being part of the extortion ring.