MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – Growing frustration is mounting among traders at Mogadishu’s Bakara Market, as complaints about aggressive and unregulated tax collection practices continue to surface. Shop owners and small business operators say the current system is not only unfair but also disruptive to their daily operations.
According to multiple traders, the tax collection process has become increasingly burdensome, with some accusing authorities of extortion and harassment. “We are tired,” said one businessman. “Every day there is a new demand for money, and the way they collect taxes is unacceptable. It’s harming our businesses.”
Small-scale traders—particularly those selling clothing at the busy Bakara Market junction—appear to be the most affected. Many of them say they are subjected to daily threats and intimidation by individuals claiming to be government tax officials. These individuals reportedly enter shops unannounced, demand to see financial records, and pressure traders into paying large sums of money without clear documentation or legal procedure.
“There’s no transparency,” one vendor lamented. “They just come in, demand money, and if you ask questions, they threaten to shut you down or take you to court.”
In a recent development, several traders appeared before the Banadir Regional Court after reportedly being accused of refusing to pay what they described as unauthorized fees. Some claim these accusations are part of a wider pattern of harassment involving individuals with ties to local government offices.
“This isn’t just about taxes,” another trader added. “It feels like some government figures are directly involved in making life harder for us. The people who should be helping us grow our businesses are now part of the problem.”
Traders are calling on the Somali government to investigate the allegations, enforce legal and transparent tax procedures, and put an end to what they describe as a campaign of intimidation. They argue that unless immediate action is taken, the livelihoods of thousands of small business owners in Bakara Market—one of the largest and most vital commercial hubs in Somalia—could be at serious risk.