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SOMALIA: BLAME GREEDY EXTORTIONISTS FOR MOGADISHU’S FRESH VEGETABLE CRISIS June 5, 2005
<|mogadishu_roadblock.jpg||left|>Public transportation between Afgoi and Mogadishu halted today after armed men who operate roadblocks between the two cities increased extortion fees.
Drivers on this thirty kilometer stretch decided to park their vehicles and wait until the the members of the new government who are now busy trying to dismantle tens of roadblocks in Mogadishu intervene the situation. So far two extortion stations in the capital have been removed although they can be erected back at anytime.
This move by Mogadishu/Afgoi drivers affected almost everyone in the two cities. Mogadishu relies heavily on Afgoi area farmers for fruits, vegetables and milk while many Afgoi residents work in Mogadishu.
Somalia has been without a central government for over a decade. A new government and parliament have been established after two years of national reconciliation conference in neighboring Kenya.