The journey of smuggling begins in border towns of Somalia such as Abudwak, Balanbale, Feerfeer, and Galdogob. “Alcohol mainly comes from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and reaches Jigjiga in the Ogaden region,” Mr Diriye explains. The Ogaden, officially known as the Somali region in Ethiopia, shares a 1,600km border with Somalia, where people on both sides have close ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and religious ties. After loading the alcohol, it is transported across the plains of the Somali region and then smuggled into Somalia through the border. Galdogob, a border town, serves as a significant hub for trade and travel but has been greatly affected by the influx of alcohol being smuggled from Ethiopia. Tribal elders have expressed concerns about alcohol-related violence in the town. “Alcohol leads to many evils, like shootings,” says Sheikh Abdalla Mohamed Ali, the chairman of the local tribal council. “It has been seized and destroyed multiple times, but it’s like living next to a factory that keeps producing more, no matter what we do. Our town will always be in constant danger.” However, for the smugglers, the ultimate goal is to deliver the alcohol to the capital. “I drive a truck that carries vegetables, potatoes, and other food items. Although the truck is loaded with various goods, I make the most profit from the alcohol onboard,” Mr Diriye reveals. Sometimes smugglers cross into Ethiopia to pick up the alcohol, while other times they receive it at the border. Regardless of the approach, concealing the alcohol is crucial as the risks of getting caught are high. “The loader’s role is crucial, even more important than driving. He is responsible for hiding the alcohol in our truck among other goods. Without him, moving around would be difficult without getting caught,” Mr Diriye explains. “On average, each box of alcohol I transport contains 12 bottles. I usually transport between 50 to 70 boxes per trip, with half of the truck’s load filled with alcohol.” Large parts of south-central Somalia are controlled by armed groups, where the government has minimal control, allowing militias, bandits, and the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabab to operate freely. “Traveling alone is too risky; death is always a concern,” says Mr Diriye. However, this fear does not hinder business, and there is a practical approach to forming the team. “If I get injured during an attack, there must be a backup driver to continue the journey. Everyone on the team can drive and knows the roads well.” Smugglers navigate through dirt tracks and roads that have not been maintained for decades, facing challenges such as landmines and unexploded ordnances from previous conflicts. “I pass through at least eight to 10 towns to reach Mogadishu. We don’t count the towns but the checkpoints and who controls them,” Mr Diriye notes. They encounter various clan militias with different loyalties, either in the distance or at roadblocks. “If we encounter a clan militia, having a team member from the same clan or a similar sub-clan increases our chances of survival. That’s why all three of us are from different clans.”
