Somalia, 22 October 2025 — The Governor of Lower Shabelle, Ibrahim Adam Ali, has officially appointed an independent committee to oversee the construction of a modern airport in Marka, the regional capital - a major milestone in the city’s ongoing reconstruction and development efforts.
In a decree issued on October 21, 2025, the governor announced the formation of the committee, which will be responsible for assessing the site, planning, and mobilizing resources for the airport’s construction.
The committee consists of eight members drawn from technical, administrative, and community sectors.
The committee’s responsibilities include:
· Assessing the location where the airport will be built,
· Identifying necessary services and infrastructure,
· Accelerating construction and related activities,
· Engaging and consulting the local community, and
· Coordinating financial and logistical resources for the project.
Marka was first liberated from Al Shabaab in 2012, but the militant group recaptured it multiple times. However, the major liberation operation in 2016 resulted in its final recapture by the African Union and government troops.
If the newly established airport project is successfully implemented, Marka will integrate farmland, coastline, and an airport, creating a balanced foundation for production, trade, and overall economic development.
Marka is a historic coastal city and holds strategic importance as a link between Mogadishu and southern Somalia. The new airport is expected to play a key role in improving transportation, security, and commerce across the region.
