Mogadishu (UM) – The Motion of No Confidence against the Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari has impacted negatively on government activity according to Mogadishu residents. In interviews across the capital, staffing at Ministries and agencies which provide public services are poorly staffed. In most Ministries even less staff than that attended in the past are at work.
“I went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a few days ago and there was no one there apart from soldiers and a few staff,” said a student who did not want to be named. “Getting my certificates certified is taking too long.”
UM interviewed many who engage with government offices on a regular basis and most agreed that services have got worse.
“So many documents need the signature of the Minister and the Minister is never around in most offices because they are campaigning,” said a businessman anonymously. “The government confuses people too much because they want taxes but there are no services and political problems all the time.”
All interviewees said that they did not expect services to improve before the Motion is resolved.
“Which Minister will work when he knows that he may be replaced tomorrow?” asked a senior government official who did not want to be named.
Alongside government services reduction because of staffing and lack of decision-making, more roads have been closed by across the capital. This is causing chaos for travelers and businesses which rely on the roads.
“Yesterday the Makkah-Al- Mukarama road was closed and I had to park my car and walk to work,” said an angry shop owner. “After every explosion, more roads are closed. This is not right.”
“Roads are now closed for Ministers, government offices, MPss and after every explosion. Soldiers are pointing guns at the people and everyone is angry and scared,” said a shop owner in Hawlwadag district. “I have not sold anything this whole day because the road was closed and there is no compensation.”
“Every time we want to get to the market or go to school or do anything, there is a road block. I appreciate security needs to be tightened but this is too much,” said Ali Sharmake a student in Mogadishu. “Road blocks will not keep us safe alone.”
Most interviewees agree that road blocks are necessary for a short time but they cannot be the way to defend Mogadishu from terrorist attacks.