Al-Shabaab lifts weeks long blockade on Baidoa

The Al-Qaeda linked militant group Al-Shabaab have lifted a two weeks long blockade following an intervention by the local business community, Daljir Media has learnt.

According to sources with intricate knowledge on the matter, the business community from Baidoa were able to get the blockade on Baidoa after striking a deal with the insurgents. This then morphed into a de facto agreement between Southwest state and Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab would lift the blockade on Baidoa, allowing lorries and supply trucks to access the city and in return, the Southwest authorities would not arrest civilians in Baidoa that travel to Al-Shabaab controlled territory to access the Shariah court.

The Southwest regional state obliged to the negotiations brough-fourth by the business community, which saw the blockade lifted.

These are unprecedented developments, not because the blockade was lifted but because the business community in Baidoa was able to play the role of the government and secure the safe passage of humanitarian supplies and similar goods.

In essence, the business community was able to fill the void left behind by the government when it came to tackling such a dire situation that was only worsening by the way.

Daljir Media Service Desk.