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Fighting in Somalia’s capital as anger over election delay erupts
TL;DR
Violence has erupted in Mogadishu, Somalia, as government forces clash with opposition militias ahead of an antigovernment protest. The unrest follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's controversial decision to extend his term and delay elections.
Key points
- Violence erupted in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital.
- Government forces and opposition militias exchanged fire.
- Protests were planned against President Mohamud's extended term.
Mentioned in this story
Hassan Sheikh MohamudMogadishu
Violence has erupted in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, as government forces and opposition-allied militias have exchanged fire before an antigovernment protest, damaging buildings and forcing residents to flee.
Fighting began on Wednesday and continued into Thursday before planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to extend his term despite it expiring last month.
The move has also pushed back elections, sparking outrage among the opposition, who see it as Mohamud’s plan to centralise power. The government has rejected these allegations.
The opposition has called for a peaceful demonstration on Thursday.
The Associated Press news agency reported that there was a large number of people in the streets and a heavy security presence with police patrolling. Police said the violence came from “organised attacks” and linked it to political groups trying to secure power.
It is yet another political upheaval for Somalia, which has been fighting the armed group al-Shabab since 2007. Somalia last held an election in 1969 and then was riven by civil war for more than 30 years.
Gunshots and explosions were heard in several neighbourhoods in Mogadishu with resident Abdullahi Mohamed telling AP: “We heard heavy weapons fire, and people were fleeing their homes.”
Members of Somali government forces stand among civilians at an intersection before a planned protest against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud over his decision to remain in office after his term expired last month [Feisal Omar/Reuters]
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, who said he has been targeted by security forces, lambasted the government in a post on X, saying it is using “heavy weaponry” made for “conventional battlefield operations”.
“These are weapons entrusted to the Somali state to fight Al-Shabaab, now turned against Somalia’s own leaders and citizens in an unprecedented campaign of political repression and targeted killing,” he said.
He added that “civilian infrastructure has not been spared” and electrical supplies have been “deliberately disrupted”.
‘Mortars and weapons’
Civilians are at risk of becoming collateral in the fallout between the two warring political factions.
Q&A
What caused the violence in Mogadishu, Somalia?
The violence was triggered by government forces clashing with opposition-allied militias in response to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's decision to extend his term and delay elections.
What are the opposition's demands in Somalia?
The opposition is demanding a peaceful demonstration against President Mohamud's extended term and the postponement of elections, which they view as a move to centralize power.
How has the government responded to the unrest in Mogadishu?
The government has rejected allegations of power centralization and described the violence as resulting from organized attacks linked to political groups.
