HARGEISA (Somaliguardian) – Authorities in the break-away state of Somaliland said on Saturday a fire at Hargeisa’s Waaheen Market had been brought under control and initial estimates showed about $2 billion had been lost in the inferno that raged for more than 20 hours.
Mayor of Hargeisa Abdikarim Ahmed Moge, leading a committee tasked with helping businesses affected by the fire, told a press conference in Hargeisa that authorities would begin a fund-raising campaign to mitigate the crisis and called for foreign help in efforts to rebuild the market.
A huge fire broke out in the largest market in Hargeisa at about 08:10 PM on Friday and spread at breathtaking speed throughout the night, the worst blaze to hit the peaceful city in recent history. Videos circulated online showed the fire sending thick black smokes and flames into the night sky as thousands of residents rushed to help firefighters put out the blaze. read more
Some of the business-people could be seen scrambling to recover their possessions in the fire engulfed market. Authorities were yet to establish the cause of the blaze.
Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, who inspected the market after firemen managed to control the blaze on Saturday said he was earmarking $1 million for efforts to help those affected by the tragedy and expressed hope that the region would be able to recover with ease. read more
Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said he had spoken with Bihi over the phone on Saturday to discuss the extent of devastation caused by the fire at Hargeisa market.
Madaxweynaha JFS Mudane Maxamed Cabdullaahi @M_Farmaajo ayaa khadka telefoonka kula xiriiray Madaxweynaha Soomaaliland Mudane Muuse Biixi Cabdi oo ay ka wada hadleen khasaaraha hantiyeed ee ka dhalatay dabkii ka kacay Suuqa Waaheen ee magaalada Hargeysa.
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) April 2, 2022
After a phone conversation with Bihi, US ambassador to Somalia Larry Andre said he was “relieved no one was seriously hurt” and he was “confident the Somaliland people and their leaders will achieve a full recovery”.
Ambassador André spoke with #Somaliland President @musebiihi about the devastating #HargeisaMarketFire. We are relieved no one was seriously hurt. We are confident the Somaliland people and their leaders will achieve a full recovery.
— U.S. Embassy Mogadishu, Somalia (@US2SOMALIA) April 2, 2022
Somali leaders, including the President, Prime Minister and members of opposition parties said they were grieving with the people of Hargeisa and particularly those hit by the ordeal.
In a statement, leadership of Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab expressed “solidarity” with people affected by the inferno at Hargeisa market and hoped that the businesspeople would be able to recover.
In a tweet, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his thoughts were with people of Somaliland and that he was saddened by the devastation caused by the fire.
Waxaan aad uga naxay, kana tiiraanyooday dabka ka kacay Suuq-weynaha badhtamaha Hargeysa, kaas oo khasaare ballaadhan u geystay hantidii Shacabka. Hadda lama qiyaasi karo Khasaarahaas.
Waxaannu Shacabka Somaliland La qaybsanaynaa murugada dhibkaas ku yimid.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) April 2, 2022
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson pledged that his government would do what it can to support Somaliland’s rebuilding efforts, expressing hope that Hargeisa will rise again. read more
Saddened to see the aftermath of the fire in Hargeisa with such destruction in the open market that is the economic heart of the city, affecting many small and family enterprises.
Your city will rise again and the UK will do what we can to support Somaliland’s rebuilding effort.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 2, 2022
Videos showed firemen still dousing buildings smoldering on Sunday night, more than 24 hours after the fire broke out on Friday night. Hargeisa municipality blamed the packed nature of the market and crowds blocking roads for failure to control the blaze within hours.
Bihi received a delegation from Ethiopia’s government, including the Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide at the presidential compound on Saturday night. Ethiopian officials earlier visited Waaheen Market to see the scale of destruction caused by the inferno.
Former Kosovo President Behgjet Pacolli called on the international community to assist Somaliland in the reconstruction efforts and “provide help to the people” impacted by disaster.
Saddened to see the destruction from the fire in Hargeisa in the market that is an essential part of the city’s economy, affecting many small & family businesses.
I call on international community to support #Somaliland in the reconstruction efforts & provide help to the people. pic.twitter.com/Kzvpyk7JQ6
— Behgjet Pacolli (@pacollibehgjet) April 2, 2022
Footage circulated online showed apocalyptic scenes left by the fire at Waaheen, the largest market in the self-proclaimed state. The leader of Waddani opposition party Abdirahman Irro said earnings by the Somaliland people since 1991 had been reduced to ash.
US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committee said it was concerned by reports of a fire that destroyed Hargeisa market and wished a quick recover for those injured by the flames.
CM @RepGregoryMeeks: Concerned by reports of a fire destroying Hargeisa’s main market and hope those injured recover quickly. I support US and international efforts to partner with Somaliland’s leaders to rebuild as soon as possible. https://t.co/Fnrkc20l6b
— House Foreign Affairs Committee (@HouseForeign) April 2, 2022
Kenya’s main opposition leader Raila Odinga urged regional and global communities to “urgently pull together” to help Somaliland reconstruct Waaheen Market.
The scenes coming out of Hargeisa’s open market inferno that is the mainstay of their economy are gut-wrenching.
My prayers go out to the people of Somaliland. The regional and global communities must urgently pull together to help you rebuild your city.
You will rise again!
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) April 2, 2022
Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh said it was “a great sadness” to see the devastation left behind by an inferno that gutted Hargeisa market.
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Waxaa murugo weyn nagu ah dabki xalay qabsaday suuqa ugu wayn magaalada Hargeysa ee Waaheen.Dhibaatadii xalay ka dhacday magaalada Hargeysa wa mid aad iyo aad no tabatay hadan nu nahay reer jabuuti.
— Ismail Omar Guelleh (@IsmailOguelleh) April 2, 2022
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said her thoughts were with those affected and that Britain was working with Somaliland authorities and international partners to seek to provide urgent support.
Terrible news about the devastating fire in Hargeisa, Somaliland – it has now been brought under control.
The UK is working with the authorities and international partners to seek to provide support. My thoughts are with all those affected.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) April 2, 2022
Mr Bihi said there was no loss of life in the fire and 28 people were sustaining non-life threatening injuries, who were being treated at hospitals in the capital Hargeisa.
A delegation from Djibouti arrived visited Waaheen Market on Sunday and held meetings with top Somaliland officials.
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