Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somali opposition leaders are urging the federal government to guarantee public safety during a mass demonstration planned in Mogadishu this Saturday. They have also cautioned against any measures that could prevent citizens from reaching the rally locations.
In a letter sent on September 25, the Somali Salvation Forum informed the Ministry of Internal Security that the demonstrations will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Protesters are expected to gather in Sinay M, Tarabuunka, and Dayniile. The letter, signed by the forum’s secretary-general Dr. Mohamed Aden Koofi, asked authorities to make sure security is provided and that roads to the protest sites remain open for citizens.
The opposition says the demonstrations are being organized to denounce what they describe as the government’s illegal land seizures and misuse of public assets in Mogadishu. These include civic centers, markets, and other community spaces. The Somali Salvation Forum has also pledged to file lawsuits against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, accusing it of corruption, violating the constitution, and selling public land to private interests. Opposition leaders say these actions have displaced vulnerable families, created anger among residents, and weakened public trust in the government.
The planned protest comes at a tense moment. Earlier this week, armed guards linked to opposition politicians clashed with government forces at Warta Nabada District Police Station. The violence left damage behind and raised fears of deeper political instability. Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre condemned the incident, describing it as a failed coup attempt. He directed security agencies to confront anyone seeking to disrupt public order and to bring them to justice. The Ministry of Information echoed his message, insisting that responsibility lies with those who openly challenged state authority.
Meanwhile, Mogadishu Mayor and Banadir Regional Governor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab has banned all protests not cleared by his office. He warned police to take strict legal action against any unauthorized gatherings, saying opposition leaders have no right to call demonstrations because they do not govern any official territory. His remarks, combined with the government’s deployment of heavily armed troops and armored vehicles across Mogadishu, suggest that Saturday’s protest could spark a direct confrontation between the opposition and state forces.
Despite the ban, opposition leaders say they are pressing forward. They argue that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and that government restrictions are an attempt to silence legitimate dissent. The Somali Rescue Forum, an alliance that includes former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and lawmaker Abdirahman Abdishakur, has issued its own warning. The group says Somalia is heading into a sensitive political and constitutional crisis, claiming the government is more focused on consolidating power than addressing the threat of al-Shabab.
As Saturday approaches, uncertainty looms over Mogadishu. Residents remain caught between opposition calls for peaceful demonstrations and government warnings of firm crackdowns. While the opposition frames the rallies as a stand against corruption and illegal land grabs, the government portrays them as a challenge to its authority and stability. Whether the protests unfold peacefully or escalate into confrontation will depend largely on how both sides choose to respond.