MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Businesses along Mogadishu’s popular Liido Beach have reported a significant drop in customers due to strong winds and warnings of a possible cyclone affecting Somalia’s coastline.
Speaking to Kaab TV, business owners at the beach say the once-bustling area has seen fewer visitors in recent days, impacting their income.
Liido Beach is one of the capital’s main recreational destinations, frequented by locals and members of the Somali diaspora.
It is home to a growing number of hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops that support local jobs and small businesses.
The downturn comes after both federal and regional authorities warned the public to avoid fishing or swimming in the ocean due to worsening weather conditions.
Residents living near the coast were also urged to remain on high alert.
Jubbaland authorities issued a public safety alert on May 10, advising: “The public is advised to stay indoors during the rain and to minimize vehicle movement.”
In Mogadishu, Kaab TV visited the usually lively Liido Beach—often filled with young revelers and booming nightlife. But now, it appears quieter, with several businesses reporting fewer customers.
“In the past two days, the beach was closed because it wasn’t safe for visitors. It has affected our business. You can understand how badly things have declined,” said Nimcaan Ahmed Muse, a small-scale business owner who has operated at the beach for two years.
Muse previously survived the deadly Al-Shabaab attack on Liido Beach in August 2024 that killed over 30 people.
Sahro Omar, who runs a tea stall near the beach, shared similar concerns. “Not many people are coming.
There’s even a new requirement now—swimmers must wear safety jackets,” she said, adding that recent drowning incidents have made people more cautious.
At least 20 people were recently rescued from drowning as rough waves pounded parts of the Indian Ocean.
The weather-related disruption comes as many businesses were still recovering from the effects of previous insecurity and attacks.
For now, those who depend on Liido Beach for their livelihood are hoping for calm seas—and a return of their customers.