MOGADISHU: Federal government security forces deployed across the capital on Sunday morning turned back several opposition leaders and members who intended to participate in a planned protest at Koonis Stadium in Mogadishu. The demonstration was organized by opposition figures to protest forced evictions, home demolitions, and the federal government’s handling of land disputes in the capital.
Reports indicate that those prevented from reaching the protest site included former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and Abdirahman Aynte. They were traveling to the residence of former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, from where they planned to proceed to the protest. The two officials returned to their homes after being confronted by military vehicles and blocked from moving further. MP Yusuf Gamadiid, a member of former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed’s Himilo Qaran party, stated that opposition members were also barred from approaching the protest location. He noted that guarantees previously offered by mediators turned out to be false. “The mediation they sent proved to be a lie; people are unable to move. They are standing in the streets, and we have even been prevented from going to Koonis,” Gamadiid said.
The protest was scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m., but military movements continued throughout the morning, and opposition members reported persistent restrictions. Opposition leaders had distributed their representatives across Banadir region districts overnight to mobilize the public. However, with government forces blocking access, organizers changed their plan and intended to gather at Koonis Stadium in the Abdiaziz district. Large numbers of government forces were also observed in the area around the stadium.
The security crackdown followed days of heightened political tension as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term approaches its scheduled conclusion on May 15. Opposition leaders had called for mass protests on May 10, linking them to forced evictions and land disputes. Recent forced evictions have triggered armed clashes between rival security factions, and the government had previously warned that unauthorized demonstrations would not be allowed.
The federal government has not issued an official statement confirming the blocking of opposition members. However, security officials have repeatedly stated that maintaining public order is a priority and that gatherings lacking official approval would be prevented. Federal authorities had replaced commanders at strategic checkpoints and redeployed troops in northern districts in the days leading up to the protest. Security forces were also deployed around the residence of former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire on Saturday, a move sources said was intended to thwart mobilization efforts.
As of midday, no major confrontations had been reported in Mogadishu. But the blocking of senior opposition figures and the heavy military presence underscored the government’s determination to prevent the protest from taking place. With President Mohamud’s term ending on May 15 and no electoral framework in place, political tensions are expected to remain high in the coming days.
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