Fighting in Somalia’s capital as anger over election delay erupts

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.”

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”.