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Somalia's tuk-tuks stall as Iran war drives fuel price spike

Fuel prices are soaring in Somalia’s capital due to disruptions in oil shipments linked to the conflict with Iran.

Many drivers in Mogadishu claim that they cannot keep their three-wheelers running because of the rising fares.

Due to the conflict, around one-fifth of all oil and natural gas liquefied is now being shipped via the Strait of Hormuz. This has left African nations exposed and with rising fuel and food prices.

There are no passengers. People walk or stay at home. "We raised the fares because of fuel price increases," Hasan Suleiman said in Mogadishu.

The city is a small place and the passengers won't pay higher fares. He said that the tuk tuks had to be parked.

Fuel prices have more than doubled in some areas of Somalia, increasing transportation costs for both?passengers? and?businesses?

Already, 6.5 million people - or roughly one third of the Horn of Africa's total population - are suffering from severe hunger due to drought.

"The tuk tuk needs to be fueled, and I have to support my family with the money it brings in." Jamal Omar is a 55 year old tuk-tuk. (Reporting and writing by AbdiSheikh; Editing and proofreading by William Maclean).

(source: Reuters)