BROKERING TRADE ROUTES - THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CHECKPOINTS ALONG SOMALIA’S BAIDOA CORRIDOR

BROKERING TRADE ROUTES THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CHECKPOINTS ALONG SOMALIA’S BAIDOA CORRIDOR Abdirahman Ali BROKERING TRADE ROUTES THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CHECKPOINTS ALONG THE BAIDOA CORRIDOR Abdirahman Ali BROKERING TRADE ROUTES THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CHECKPOINTS ALONG THE BAIDOA CORRIDOR THE AUTHOR Abdirahman Ali is a doctoral student at the University of Nairobi and the University of Copenha. [...] Rift Valley Institute BROKERING TR ADE ROUTES 11 EVOLUTION OF THE CORRIDOR The Mogadishu–Baidoa–Dollow road that eventually links up with the main road in the towns of Mandera and Elwak in Kenya is made of worn-out asphalt and was built by the Italian colonial government.8 During the Siad Barre regime (1969–1991), the number of control posts gradually multiplied, particularly after the Ogaden War. [...] One trader explains: Because of the low tax rates that al-Shabaab imposed in the 2010s, and because they were the only authority in control of the corridor, it made the use of Mogadishu–Bula Hawa route the most pleasant in the recent history.13 During the early period of al-Shabaab, the rate for a quintal—a standard measure used in Somalia equivalent to 100 kg—was as low as USD 3, which it has not. [...] This is largely due to its proximity to the Ethiopian border and the high level of political influence the Ethiopian government has in the administration of the town. [...] As he explains: The increase in the number of checkpoints on the [Baidoa] route and the rise in the cost of fuel has led to a much higher cost of transportation that would exceed the income of the trip.