By Staff Writer
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed on Tuesday called for a national strategy to prevent and manage major market fires after a blaze swept through Mogadishu’s Bakaara Market, destroying businesses and causing extensive property losses at the country’s largest commercial centre.
In a statement, Sharif expressed sympathy for traders affected by the fire and urged both the government and the public to support those who lost their livelihoods.
The fire broke out earlier on Tuesday inside the sprawling market and spread rapidly through several commercial sections, according to witnesses.
“I share in the pain and sorrow of the Somali business community that has lost property in today’s devastating fire, which severely affected Bakara Market, the country’s largest commercial hub and a vital source of livelihood for many Somali families,” Sharif said.
The former president also called on authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness, saying repeated fires in Mogadishu’s major markets continue to inflict heavy economic losses.
“At the same time, I urge the Federal Government and the regional administration to develop a national plan to manage the impact of disasters of this nature and, more broadly, to prevent the recurring outbreaks of fires in the capital’s major markets,” he said.
Sharif said such incidents “consistently have a serious negative impact on the country’s economy and on the livelihoods of its people.”
The fire erupted near the Abdalla Shideeye intersection in Bakaara Market, witnesses said. It reportedly began inside the market before spreading quickly to neighbouring commercial areas, destroying shops and merchandise.
Firefighters from the Banadir regional administration were deployed to the scene and worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further through the densely packed market.
Security forces cordoned off roads around the affected area to allow emergency responders access and to protect members of the public.
As of Tuesday, authorities had not issued an official statement identifying the cause of the fire. Officials also had not released an estimate of the financial losses or confirmed whether there were any casualties.
In his statement, Sharif prayed for those who suffered losses and appealed for a nationwide response to assist affected traders.
“I pray to Allah to grant those traders who lost their property a better replacement and a swift recovery,” he said, while urging “the Somali people, both leaders and citizens, to stand in solidarity with and support those who have lost their livelihoods in this tragedy.”
Bakaara Market is Somalia’s largest commercial hub and serves as a critical source of income for thousands of traders and their families.
