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Mogadishu authorities ban wearing of caps, masks, citing security concerns

A view from a hotel roof top of downtown Mogadishu on November 10, 2022. (Photo: AFP)

By Hassan Mohamed | Thursday, February 15, 2024

The decision was reached following a recent security meeting in Mogadishu chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Mogadishu residents have been banned from wearing caps and masks in the streets of the seaside capital city of Somalia.

Citing security concerns, the announcement banning the wearing of caps and masks in public in Mogadishu was made today by the spokesperson of the Mayor of Mogadishu Yusuf Hussein Jimale "Madaale".

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"Since there is no longer an outbreak of Covid-19 in the country which prompted people to wear masks, going forward wearing a mask will be viewed as an attempt to disguise yourself to avoid detection by security forces...as such it is illegal from today. It is also illegal to wear a cap which is often viewed as an attempt to hide. The directive on caps does not include religious caps," the Spokesperson said.

He also added that going forward it is illegal to carry weapons while riding motorbikes and Tuktuks. He confirmed the decision was reached following a recent security meeting in Mogadishu chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Mixed reactions

Residents of Mogadishu received the directive with mixed reactions.

"I think the directive was not a well thought decision. The problem is the person hiding from security officers, not the cap which, unlike a mask, does not hide someone's features. I am bald and I have over 20 caps I wear to protect myself from the hot sun here, now they have been banned. This is a loss to me," 50-year-old Mohamed Ibrahim, a regular cap wearer, told The Eastleigh Voice by phone.

Another resident Ahmed Abdi questioned the legality of the decision.

"The mayor's office cannot control what I wear. My cap is part of my clothing. This decision goes against my liberties. How will they enforce it?" 27-year-old Abdi quipped.

Law experts agree the Mogadishu Mayor's office will struggle to enforce the directive since they have no municipal council status, and as such cannot enforce the directive.

"As much as personal liberties have limitations in the law, especially when authorities cite security concerns. However, the Mayor of Mogadishu's office will struggle to enforce this directive banning caps and masks since they have no municipal council status as such, they fall under the Ministry of Interior so they will have to seek help from them, Constitutional lawyer Arafat Ali told The Eastleigh Voice.

"I think the best they can do is to simply frustrate offenders and perhaps slap them with fines."

However, authorities hope the ban on moving with weapons in motorbikes and Tuktuks, as well as the ban on caps and masks in Mogadishu, will help deter crime as criminals try to mask their faces to avoid detection by law enforcement officers.