Bakaara Market, Mogadishu’s economic heart, has survived decades of state collapse, warlord rule, and civil war through resilience and pragmatic adaptation. For years, traders focused solely on securing their businesses, paying “taxes” to whichever group held power. Today, however, that survival model is under extreme pressure. Traders now face simultaneous extortion from four entities: Somalia’s Federal Government (FGS), Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State (IS), and the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Recently, IS, notorious for brutal executions, has entered Mogadishu’s taxation racket, forcing businesses to pay hefty fees or face violent retribution. Several major importers and wholesalers have already been ordered to close for non-payment.