Galkayo (WDN)-Women who operate small businesses in Galkayo’s main market took to the streets on Saturday to protest what they describe as forced evictions by the city’s municipal government.

The demonstrators, many of whom rely on street vending for their livelihoods, blocked the central highway in Galkayo, effectively halting traffic in the heart of the city. Holding up placards and chanting slogans, the women voiced frustration over being removed from the trading spaces they have occupied for years.

“We have no other source of income. This is where we work to feed our children,” one protester told local media. “The local government didn’t give us an alternative or even a warning—they just pushed us out.”

Shortly after the demonstration began, municipal security forces arrived at the scene and fired live rounds into the air to disperse the crowd. Although no injuries were reported, the protest was swiftly broken up, raising concerns about the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

The Galkayo municipality has not yet issued a public statement in response to the protest or the allegations of forced evictions.

The incident highlights the ongoing tension between informal traders and local authorities in urban centers, where competition over limited space and regulatory enforcement often leaves vulnerable communities at risk of economic displacement. Advocacy groups have called for dialogue and inclusive urban planning that protects the rights of informal workers—especially women, who make up a significant portion of the city’s informal economy.

WardheerNews