Wednesday June 3, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali police and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire traded blame Wednesday after a brief gunfight occurred near Dabka junction in Mogadishu, hours before planned opposition demonstrations in the capital.
Police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan said in a video posted on the Somali Police Force’s Facebook page that masked armed men attacked a police checkpoint where security forces were stationed. He said the attackers used heavy weapons, including assault rifles.
The police spokesman did not name a specific group or directly link the attack to opposition figures.
He said police would take legal action against any person or group involved in acts that threaten security and stability. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
The police statement came after a clash at Dabka junction between government forces and security guards of Khaire, who said government forces attacked a consultative meeting he was attending with traditional elders, lawmakers, opposition figures, youth leaders and civil society activists.
“Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose presidential mandate constitutionally expired on May 15, 2026, bears full responsibility for today’s violent attack on our consultative meeting,” Khaire said in a statement posted on social media.
He said the meeting brought together more than 70 traditional elders, including Ugaas Abdirizak, Ugaas Abdullahi and Ugaas Hashi, along with members of Parliament and opposition representatives.
Khaire accused the government of trying to intimidate opposition figures ahead of Thursday’s planned demonstrations.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” Khaire said. “This attack is a grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens and a deliberate attempt to suppress peaceful assembly.”
He said the incident occurred as opposition leaders and traditional elders were preparing for what he called a “Peace Assembly” scheduled for Thursday, following months of reconciliation dialogue with political and community stakeholders.
In a second post, Khaire accused security forces of also attacking former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. He described the alleged attack as part of an effort to provoke violence and suppress opposition activity.
The clash came hours after the Banadir Regional Administration and Mogadishu Municipality said opposition groups would be allowed to hold demonstrations Thursday, but only at designated locations and under strict security conditions.
Authorities approved rallies at Banadir Stadium in Abdiaziz district, Mogadishu Stadium in Warta Nabadda district and the Jaamacadaha area in Hodan district.
Officials said protesters would not be allowed to carry weapons and warned that any action capable of inciting unrest or disrupting public order would be prohibited.
Opposition leaders have rejected attempts to restrict demonstrations to limited venues, arguing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and should be allowed across the capital.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Tuesday that opposition groups would not accept efforts to confine rallies to a single location. He called on residents to take part in the demonstrations.
The planned protests come amid rising political tension over elections, constitutional changes and Somalia’s political transition. Opposition leaders accuse Mohamud’s government of pushing through reforms without consensus, while federal officials say they are moving the country toward one-person, one-vote elections and must protect public order in Mogadishu.
