Mogadishu Sees Heavy Gunfire as Somali Election Delay Sparks Opposition Clashes
Heavy gunfire erupted across Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, as government forces clashed with opposition fighters. The violence followed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's decision to extend his term by a year, a move deemed unconstitutional by the opposition, who had called for protests.
Residents reported sustained gunfire throughout Thursday night in several city neighbourhoods. Police described the operation as a "large-scale security operation" against "heavily armed militias who launched mortar attacks".
The current impasse stems from a failure to reach an agreement after talks between the federal government and opposition following the President's term expiry on 15 May. Somalia, which last held a one-person, one-vote election in 1969, has endured over three decades of civil war.
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire accused government forces of attacking him and other leaders preparing for "peaceful" demonstrations. He stated, "The responsibility for any casualties or damage resulting from this incident lies with the president whose term has expired," characterising the attack as a "grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens."
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed affirmed that the violence would not deter planned demonstrations, declaring, "If the President and his soldiers think that we are afraid or that we will flee, we are not going to run away." The USA embassy in Mogadishu described the violence as "reckless," urging all sides to maintain stability and resolve differences peacefully.
