An autorickshaw driver was shot and killed by police in Mogadishu on Saturday morning, leading to protests near the Howl-Wadaag intersection.
The deceased, who has been identified as Mohamed Hayle, was shot by Mogadishu police while inside his autorickshaw after a brief discord with the officer. The reason for his murder is yet to be established.
According to reports, Hayle was in the company of his mother and sister at the time of the shooting but fortunately they were not injured.
Shortly after the incident, several other Bajaaj drivers assembled at the scene of the execution and began confronting local police who were reportedly trying to remove Hayle’s body from his automobile.
The Bajaj drivers reiterated that the officer involved in death of Hayle should face full wrath of the law.
A frustrated young man said that life as a Bajaj driver has become unbearable as they try to grapple with tough economic times in the nation.
“Every morning, I come to work to feed my children, but the soldiers block the road and take $15 a day, yet they continue to kill us. It has become intolerant.”
The police and security services have responded with live fire to disperse the protestors.
Government officials have not yet commented on the protests.
The last few years, rickshaws have virtually monopolized public conveyance in the city because of their mobility and the fact Mogadishu’s major roads have been closed by government soldiers, to prevent al-Shabab car bombs.
Over the last three years, security forces have killed more than 20 tuktuk drivers in Mogadishu.
