Somaliland’s outgoing President Muse Bihi Abdi on Saturday inaugurated the newly rebuilt Waheen Market, a vital commercial hub reconstructed after a devastating fire razed it to the ground on April 10, 2022.
The fire, sparked by an electrical fault, engulfed the market, destroying 24 acres of stalls and shops. The disaster impacted 17,000 traders and countless livelihoods. The fire disproportionately affected small traders, many of whom were women.
The Waheen fire came amid a perfect storm of crises. Somaliland was grappling with severe drought — the worst in 40 years — alongside skyrocketing inflation driven by global events like the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The market’s destruction exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, threatening food security and economic stability.
The reconstruction of Waheen Market was funded largely by Somaliland’s business community, diaspora, and neighbouring Djibouti.
The new facility, which cost millions of dollars, boasts 24 sections housing 644 shops, all built to modern standards. Key upgrades include paved roads and designated parking areas for customers, designed to restore and enhance the bustling marketplace, once a linchpin of trade in the Horn of Africa.
President Bihi praised the collective effort behind the reconstruction, crediting Somaliland’s business community, Somali entrepreneurs in Mogadishu, diaspora traders, and the Djiboutian government for their financial contributions. However, he noted the lack of support from wealthier nations.
“The delegations that came here with cameras offered words but no material support,” Bihi said. “This reminds us that we must care for our own needs, as no one else will.”
Waheen Market’s reopening symbolizes resilience and hope for Hargeisa’s residents, who rely on it for their daily sustenance. As shoppers and traders return to the vibrant new space, the market’s revival offers a fresh start, breathing life back into the region’s economy.
This moment also highlights a broader narrative of self-reliance and resourcefulness in Somaliland—a testament to its people’s determination to rebuild and thrive against the odds.
