Middle Shabelle, Somalia – Dozens of charcoal-laden trucks bound for Mogadishu have been stranded in the town of El-Adde, Middle Shabelle, after drivers staged a protest against newly imposed tax increases.
Local sources report that the tax hike, introduced by regional authorities earlier this week, has sharply raised transportation costs, prompting drivers to suspend deliveries in protest. The blockade has brought a section of the key supply route between rural production areas and the Somali capital to a standstill.
Charcoal remains a widely used fuel source in Mogadishu, especially for cooking, and the disruption is expected to strain supplies and drive up prices in the city if the standoff continues.
Protesting drivers argue that the tax burden is unsustainable, with some warning they will abandon the trade entirely if no compromise is reached. Regional officials have defended the levy as necessary for revenue generation but have not publicly commented on the ongoing disruption.
The incident underscores Somalia’s fragile trade and transport systems, where local tax disputes can quickly ripple through urban supply chains, deepening economic pressure on already struggling households.