Unending crises in Somalia

Noura Bendari

Somalia appears to be destined for a life full of blood, especially with the terrorist Al-Shabaab movement continually launching attacks.

The ongoing political crisis between the country’s president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and the opposition compounds these bleak conditions.

Explosion

A booby-trapped vehicle went off near a restaurant at a popular market in capital Mogadishu on March 5, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 30 others injured.

The blast also caused massive devastation in the area, according to Mogadishu radio.

The blast took place in close proximity to the main port in the Somali capital. Residents in different parts of the city heard it.

Almost all the victims of the explosion were civilians, according to a Somali police officer.

This is the second blast to hit the same restaurant which is usually frequented by civil servants and security personnel.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack. However, Somali police is pointing accusing fingers at Al-Shabaab which staged a series of attacks all through February this year.

Some observers expect violence to escalate in Somalia in the coming period, especially with the current political crisis in the country pitting the opposition against the government.

Worsening political crisis

These terrorist attacks come at a time when Somalia is witnessing a state of chaos as a result of the opposition forces marching against the delay in organizing the presidential elections.

This contributed to exacerbating the political crisis in the country, especially since the deadline for the resignation of President Farmajo came to an end in February.