Gunfire erupts in Mogadishu as opposition figures challenge Somali president’s term extension

Heavy gunfire and clashes involving rocket-propelled grenades erupted in central Mogadishu on Thursday, underscoring the deepening political crisis in Somalia. The violence occurred as former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed moved into the capital to lead planned anti-government demonstrations. The unrest follows President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to extend his term by one year, a move that has been rejected by the opposition and regional leaders as an unconstitutional power grab.

Khaire alleged that government forces loyal to the president had launched an attack on his consultative meeting in the Howl Wadaag district. In a social media post on Wednesday, Khaire stated that forces commanded by the president targeted the gathering, which he described as preparations for a peaceful demonstration. He relocated from the heavily fortified green zone around the airport to his city residence to participate in the protests, asserting that Mohamud bears full responsibility for the violence.

Witnesses reported that the shooting lasted approximately 15 minutes, with the sound of rocket-propelled grenade explosions audible across surrounding neighbourhoods. An AFP journalist captured footage of panicked residents in the area near Khaire’s home as armed opposition figures clashed with Somali police. The intensity of the confrontation highlighted the fragility of security in the capital, where rival clans and armed groups continue to exert significant influence.

The crisis stems from a constitutional dispute initiated in March when parliament passed a new framework for polls. Mohamud argues this legislation provides the basis for a one-year extension of his presidency, which was due to expire on 15 May. However, opponents view the extension as an attempt to centralise power and delay democratic elections. Progress towards replacing the clan-based elder system with a democratic model has been limited, with much of the country remaining under the control of al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked armed group.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed joined the demonstrations in central Mogadishu, condemning the attack on Khaire and questioning the president’s legitimacy. Ahmed stated that Mohamud lacks a legitimate official mandate and sought to cause further bloodshed. He emphasised that the attack would not deter residents from protesting against what they describe as injustice, displacement, and the abuse of government power.

International efforts to resolve the impasse have yielded little success. The United States and the United Kingdom have attempted to broker talks between the government and opposition, but these initiatives have failed to produce a breakthrough. The situation recalls the period between 2021 and 2022, when former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo remained in office for more than a year after his mandate ended, triggering widespread violence and international condemnation.