Somalia regional administration bans facemasks, hats, gives reasons

The Banadir regional administration of Somalia has announced a ban on wearing hats and facemasks, which were widely used during the COVID-19 outbreak for security purposes.

The spokesperson of the Mogadishu administration, Salah Dheere, stated that the decision was made during the recent security meeting in Mogadishu chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Salah emphasized that wearing facemasks is now considered a way for individuals to conceal their identities from security forces, suggesting that they might harbour criminals who contribute to insecurity in Mogadishu.

Last December, Banadir Regional Police refuted reports that the Somalian government had prohibited people in Mogadishu from wearing face masks, turbans, hats, and face veils to improve the security of the capital.

However, the Mogadishu administration clarified that face masks and hats, apart from traditional sunnah hats worn by elders, contribute to security issues.

The poor African country has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from the al-Shabab militant group.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated group has added to the insecurity challenge with intensified attacks in a show of resurgence after President Mohamud’s government launched an offensive against the group in August 2022.