The Cruelty of Hargeisa's Municipal Government

Mayor Abdilkarim Mooge, known for his penchant for self-promotion, hastily issued a statement late last night, attempting to distance himself from the tragic incident. However, in his rush to absolve himself of responsibility, he conveniently overlooks the fact that he often basks himself in the credit for the positive actions of his staff. This selective disavowal risks painting him as politically opportunistic, exploiting situations for personal gain while evading accountability for the actions of his administration. Such actions undermine the trust and credibility he seeks to maintain with the public, as they see through the facade of empty statements devoid of genuine empathy or commitment to justice

 

In the streets of Hargeisa, the heart of Somaliland, a horrifying tale of brutality and injustice has emerged, shedding light on the cruel treatment inflicted upon the vulnerable by the very authorities sworn to protect them. In a recent incident that shook the community to its core, a woman met her  demise at the hands of municipal officials, sparking outrage and condemnation across the nation.

The tragic event unfolded as the woman, known for her humble livelihood as a goat vendor, found herself in a harrowing confrontation with municipal agents who sought to forcefully seize her meager possessions. In a shocking display of callousness, the confrontation escalated to a fatal encounter, with the woman being struck down by a vehicle wielded by the very individuals tasked with upholding law and order.

This egregious act of violence is not an isolated incident but rather a grim reflection of a broader pattern of systemic abuse and neglect endured by the impoverished residents of Hargeisa, particularly women in the informal sector. The municipal government's treatment of street vendors and market women has long been characterized by disdain and cruelty, with reports of harassment, physical assault, and arbitrary confiscation of goods being all too common.

According to a baseline study conducted by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network in 2018, the local government derives a significant portion of its revenue – a staggering 62% – from street vendors operating within the city. Despite this substantial contribution to the municipal coffers, there exists a glaring absence of support mechanisms or social safety nets for these marginalized individuals, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

In the wake of the tragedy, attention has turned to the current mayor, who ascended to power amidst promises of championing the rights and welfare of street vendors and impoverished women in the informal economy. However, far from fulfilling his pledge, his tenure has been marked by an alarming escalation in the mistreatment and violence directed at the very constituents he pledged to serve.

The mayor's failure to deliver on his commitments has not only shattered the hopes of those who entrusted him with their votes but has also emboldened municipal officials to perpetrate acts of brutality with impunity. The fact that his administration sanctioned such egregious actions – culminating in the senseless death of a vulnerable member of the community – speaks volumes about the moral bankruptcy that plagues the corridors of power in Hargeisa.

In the face of such injustice, swift and decisive action should be taken to hold those responsible to account and to institute meaningful reforms that safeguard the rights and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status. Civil society organizations, and concerned citizens alike must come together to demand justice for the victim and to advocate for systemic change that addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality in Hargeisa.

The tragic death of the woman at the hands of Hargeisa's municipal government serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a more compassionate and equitable society, one where the rights of the most vulnerable are upheld and protected, rather than trampled upon in the pursuit of power and profit. Until such a transformation occurs, the specter of injustice will continue to cast a dark shadow over the streets of Hargeisa, haunting the conscience of all who bear witness to its cruelty.

Mayor Abdulkarim Mooge, known for his penchant for self-promotion, hastily issued a statement late last night, attempting to distance himself from the tragic incident. However, in his rush to absolve himself of responsibility, he conveniently overlooks the fact that he often basks in the credit for the positive actions of his staff. This selective disavowal risks painting him as politically opportunistic, exploiting situations for personal gain while evading accountability for the actions of his administration. Such actions undermine the trust and credibility he seeks to maintain with the public, as they see through the facade of empty statements devoid of genuine empathy or commitment to justice.

Governance and leadership analysis.

The tragedy involving the death of a vulnerable woman street vendor at the hands of municipal officials in Hargeisa underscores the hypocrisy and moral failure of Mayor Abdikarim Mooge's administration. While he publicly portrays himself as a champion of the city's impoverished and marginalized communities, his actions and the brutal behavior of his municipal agents tell a different story. This incident serves as a powerful indictment of a leadership style more concerned with maintaining power and image than genuinely addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

Mayor Abdikarim Mooge campaigned on promises of improving the livelihoods of informal workers, including street vendors, who form the backbone of Hargeisa's economy. These individuals contribute a significant portion of the city's revenue, yet they receive little in return from the local government. The 2018 SIHA Network study highlighted the extent to which street vendors contribute to municipal finances, with a staggering 62% of revenue derived from their activities. Despite this financial dependency, the city under Mooge's leadership has done nothing to provide these vendors with basic protections or even the dignity of respect. Instead, they are subjected to harassment, violence, and, in this case, death.

The mayor's disingenuousness is evident in his selective response to this tragedy. While he quickly issued a public statement distancing himself from the actions of his staff, his failure to accept responsibility raises questions about his leadership. This pattern of deflection is consistent with a mayor who seeks credit for the positive developments in the city but is unwilling to face the consequences of failures. This avoidance of accountability not only signals a lack of genuine leadership but also highlights a growing disconnect between his administration and the city's most vulnerable residents. Rather than take meaningful action to address the systemic issues that led to this fatal incident, he continues to posture, hiding behind empty promises.

Furthermore, the broader pattern of violence and neglect faced by women in the informal economy under Mayor Mooge’s administration suggests a systemic problem rooted in both indifference and exploitation. The use of municipal forces to crack down on vendors, particularly women, shows a disturbing trend of prioritizing profit and power over human dignity. The repeated confiscation of goods, harassment, and even physical violence these vendors face reveal the city's reliance on the exploitation of the most marginalized. Mooge's government has not only failed to protect the people it claims to serve, but it actively participates in their oppression.

The mayor's refusal to acknowledge the structural failures in his administration has emboldened his officials to act with impunity. The killing of the street vendor is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a culture of disregard for the poor and powerless, which has festered under his watch. The systemic abuse faced by these vendors is a direct result of a lack of oversight, accountability, and concern for the welfare of Hargeisa's most vulnerable.

To see this mayor continue to posture as a protector of the people while his administration wreaks havoc on their lives is to witness a profound betrayal of public trust. His failure to address this tragedy meaningfully, combined with the systemic abuses suffered by vendors, suggests that his tenure is defined by a dangerous opportunism. As long as Mayor Abdikarim Mooge remains more invested in his image than in genuine governance, the city's marginalized communities will continue to suffer.

This tragic event serves as a call to action for civil society, activists, and concerned citizens. It is imperative that they hold the mayor and his administration accountable, demand justice for the victim, and advocate for the protection and rights of street vendors and informal workers. Only through collective action can the systemic injustices in Hargeisa be addressed, and only then can the city begin to heal from the deep wounds caused by a leadership more concerned with political gain than with human dignity.

The memory of the woman who lost her life must serve as a rallying cry for change—a change that challenges the falsehoods of leaders like Abdikarim Mooge, exposes their failures and pushes for a city that respects and protects its most vulnerable citizens.