Somalia arrests female tuktuk driver amid rising fuel price protests

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Authorities in Somalia have held a young female tuk-tuk driver in detention for a third consecutive day after she appeared at a small protest over soaring fuel prices in the capital, drawing criticism from opposition politicians, activists and analysts who say the arrest reflects a troubling crackdown on free speech.

The woman, identified as Saadia Moalim Ali, is a mother who turned to driving a tuk-tuk – locally known as a bajaj – after failing to secure employment in the field she studied at university. In a city where the work is overwhelmingly done by men, she took on the job to support her family.

She was arrested Thursday after appearing at a protest staged by tuk-tuk drivers in Mogadishu, where drivers gathered to voice anger over the steep rise in fuel prices, which traders say is linked to the Iran war. The price of petrol has surged from $0.60 to $1.75 per liter – an increase of nearly 192% – sharply raising operating costs for drivers who rely on daily earnings to survive.

Ali was not alone. Several of her colleagues were also arrested after expressing frustration over the rising cost of fuel, a price jump that drivers say threatens their ability to earn a living.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire condemned the arrest, saying it was unjust to jail a citizen for peacefully raising concerns about economic hardship.

“It is heartbreaking that Sadia M. Ali is spending her second night in detention for peacefully expressing her concerns to her own government as a tax-paying citizen,” Khaire said in a statement on X.

“Sadia is an educated woman who could not find employment opportunities in the field she studied, but instead of giving up, she showed courage and dignity by working as a bajaj driver to support her family,”

“A hardworking, tax-paying citizen should not be punished for raising her voice. I call on the government to immediately and unconditionally release Sadia Ali, along with Sayidali Abdullahi, Abdinur Abdi, and Hassan Hussein, and respect the constitutional right of citizens to speak freely,” the former premier stressed.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also expressed solidarity with Ali’s family. Officials from his party visited her home and delivered money to her parents as a gesture of sympathy following her arrest.

The case has drawn wider concern from activists and analysts, many of whom say the detention casts a shadow over the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose government receives millions of dollars in aid from Western donors.

Critics argue that the arrest signals growing intolerance toward dissent – even when it comes from ordinary citizens struggling with the rising cost of living.

Rashid Abdi, an analyst on the Horn of Africa, also called for her immediate release.

“I appeal to the Somali authorities to release Sa’diyo Moalim aka Sa’diyo ‘Bajaaj’ – a female rickshaw/tuktuk driver arrested for organising a minor protest in Mogadishu over fuel costs,” Abdi said.

“Sa’diyo is brave for becoming a tuktuk driver and venturing into a male-dominated sector to earn some cash for her children. She is even braver for exercising her inalienable right to free speech and protest (constitutionally protected),” he added.

Abdi said the timing of the arrest is particularly painful for her family.

On the eve of Eid – when Muslims celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan – he noted that her children need her presence even more.

Supporters of the current administration dispute claims that Ali was detained simply for protesting. Some allege she had visited Jazeera Hotel near Mogadishu’s airport, a location often associated with meetings of opposition figures.

If accurate, critics say, it could signal that authorities are widening their scrutiny of voices seen as politically influential.

Social media discussions have drawn comparisons with Jihan Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a daughter of the president appointed as a presidential advisor. Critics question why one woman receives protection and opportunity while another, unable to find formal employment and supporting her family alone, is detained for exercising her rights.

Journalists have reported that the order to arrest Sa’diyo and her fellow protesters came directly from Villa Somalia and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, raising questions about why a relatively small protest triggered such a response. Some analysts allege the president’s family may benefit from local fuel price increases, heightening the sensitivity of the issue.

President Mohamud addressed the matter in a rare video statement, delivering remarks that appeared both to warn protesters and placate public concern.

The detention occurs amid multiple crises in Mogadishu. Residents face rising fuel, food, and utility prices; growing political tensions after the president extended his term by one year; and a worsening drought that has left millions without water and destroyed livestock.

The drought has forced many families to flee rural areas to Mogadishu and surrounding regions, compounding a surge in internal displacement already worsened by authorities’ ongoing campaign of forced evictions.

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