Heavy gunfire in Somalia as row over election delay escalates

Government forces and opposition fighters have exchanged heavy gunfire in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, as a row over delays to elections has escalated.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term in office ended on May 15 but was extended by a year. The opposition said this was unconstitutional and called for protests on Thursday.

Gunfire was reported in several neighbourhoods of the capital and persisted throughout the night, according to accounts by residents.

Police said they were conducting a “large-scale security operation” against “heavily armed militias who launched mortar attacks” in some areas.

Somalia last held a one-person, one-vote election in 1969 and has been ravaged by civil war for more than 30 years.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said he had been attacked by government forces while he and other leaders were preparing for yesterday’s “peaceful” demonstrations.

“The responsibility for any casualties or damage resulting from this incident lies with the president whose term has expired,” he said on X.

“This attack is a grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens and a deliberate attempt to suppress peaceful assembly,” he added.

The number of casualties is not yet known and the president has not commented.

In statement on X, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, an ally of Khaire, said the opposition would not be intimidated.

“If the President and his soldiers think that we are afraid or that we will flee, we are not going to run away,” he said.

The protests have not taken place amid the fighting. The capital is now largely calm, although sporadic gunfire can still be heard in some districts. –BBC

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