Musuqmaasuq & Sharcidarro
Before the outbreak of the Civil War, the Local Authorities were responsible for the issuance of crucial documents such as Identity cards and other forms of registration. For the past 19 years, when no such Authorities existed in Mogadishu, profiteers and illegal operatives have stepped in producing and issuing fake documents in the place of legal ones to those seeking such papers and able to pay the fees. This state of affairs can be attributed to failed and greedy Leadership.Mogadishuis currently characterized by prevailing injustices and a general un-willingness to support Law and Order
The total population ofMogadishuis only based on 2007 estimates. Probably because of the constant movements of large segments of the population due to the violent conflict, no estimates of Households are readily available.
Dark streets and destroyed or absent water systems.
About 85% ofMogadishu is without power. The acute power shortage limits the movement of people and goods only to the periods of the day – especially before sunset. The dark streets of the city present a major opportunity to those involved in criminal activities. In a sentence, most people inMogadishu are not only suffering from physical darkness but ‘psychological darkness’ as well.
Since the collapse of the Siad Barre government in 1991 water systems in South-Central Somalia (includingMogadishu) have been systematically destroyed. Pipes, reservoirs and water treatment plants were extensively vandalized. Without a functioning Municipal Authority,Mogadishu’s residents have devised their own informal water distribution systems, but there are many shortcomings. The residents ofMogadishuget their water mostly from boreholes. The water is delivered to them in various ways including on the heads of family members, pipes or on donkey-carts. Most wells inMogadishuare owned by local business people who provide water to surrounding neighborhoods for profit. The quality of the water consumed cannot be ascertained as most of it is not treated.
There are a number water purification plants that supply purified drinking water to those who can afford it. Several of these purification and bottling plants, including the largest, the Saafi Water Factory, have been closed due to the insecurity prevailing in Mogadishu. The plants which are still operating in the relatively stable and sparsely populated neighborhoods produce 20 litre bottles which cost around 50 cents a bottle and is out of reach for all but a tiny minority in Mogadishu. It is not clear what standards of purity this water meets, since there are no regulatory agencies functioning in Somalia. Doctors say chronic diarrhea outbreaks in Mogadishu are among the adverse effects of the untreated water used by the city’s residents.