By Dawan Africa - Reporter
Somalia, 22 November 2025 - A new report by the Somalia-based not-for-profit organization, Independence House, has delivered one of the most comprehensive examinations to date of the mobility barriers confronting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Somalia’s capital, revealing an urban environment unprepared to accommodate one of the country’s most vulnerable populations.
The 16-page study, “Inclusive Urban Mobility in Fragile Contexts: Assessing Mobility and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Mogadishu”, paints an alarming picture of systemic neglect, inadequate infrastructure, and widespread attitudinal discrimination.
The report begins by placing Mogadishu’s rapid reconstruction into context: a city witnessing an economic boom and an expansion of high-rise buildings, hotels, and businesses. Yet, amid this transformation, more than 11 percent of Somalis who live with disabilities are being left behind. Despite government commitments under the National Disability Strategy (2025–2029) and constitutional guarantees, the report finds that PWDs remain excluded from basic urban mobility and access to public services.
Startling Data on Barriers and Exclusion
The study’s findings are stark. Eighty-six percent of respondents identified systemic obstacles that restrict their movement. Nearly 80 percent said public transport stops are inaccessible, while an overwhelming 95 percent reported that buses and other shared vehicles lack any space for wheelchairs or assistive devices.
Even more troubling, 97 percent indicated there are no curb cuts at crossings, and 93 percent said that tactile paving or audible signals for visually impaired people are non-existent.
Field testimonies collected during focus group discussions reveal the human impact behind these statistics. Several respondents described Mogadishu as “chaotic” and “dangerous” for PWDs, citing high curbs, uneven pavements, congested markets, and a lack of safe walkways.
One respondent recounted being forced to disembark from a public transport vehicle mid-route because the driver refused to continue with a disabled passenger on board.
Exclusion Across Social, Educational, and Religious Spaces
The research extends beyond streets and transport. Educational institutions lack ramps and Braille materials, forcing visually impaired students to take oral exams. Some job seekers reported being physically carried into buildings for interviews due to the absence of ramps—an indignity that many said cost them employment opportunities.
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Even religious spaces fall short. Many mosques, the report notes, lack any form of disability-friendly access despite Islamic teachings that emphasize equality and inclusion. “Imams speak of equality, but the mosque steps remind us that we are not part of the congregation,” one participant said.
Weak Enforcement, Poor Attitudes, and Post-Conflict Realities
The report attributes the crisis to a mix of structural, institutional, and cultural challenges. Limited resources, weak policy enforcement, and a post-conflict urban layout focused more on security than planning all contribute to exclusion. Additionally, poor public attitudes—especially among transport operators—further marginalize PWDs.
Only 17 percent of respondents said they had ever been consulted on urban planning decisions, and 93 percent of those felt their input was ignored.
Clear Recommendations, Urgent Need
Independence House calls for urgent reforms: mandatory accessibility standards for all buildings, inclusive public transport policies, stronger community awareness, and better training for government officials and service providers. It also urges donors and development partners to prioritize disability inclusion in all urban and reconstruction programs.
A Warning for Mogadishu’s Future
The report concludes that Mogadishu currently has “no system in place” to support urban mobility for PWDs —a failure that undermines human rights and threatens to exclude more than one in ten residents from the city’s economic revival. As Mogadishu rebuilds, the study warns, inclusive mobility should not be an afterthought but a central pillar of the city’s future.
