Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Somali opposition leaders are preparing a major demonstration in Mogadishu on May 10 to protest what they say is the displacement of residents from the capital and to demand that affected families be permitted to return to their homes.
Speaking in Mogadishu on Wednesday, former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the suffering faced by residents, especially those forced from their homes, should not be overlooked.
“The people of Mogadishu must come out peacefully and make their voices heard,” Sheikh Sharif told local media after a meeting with opposition leaders held earlier that day at his residence.
The planned protest comes as a high-level political meeting is also scheduled for May 10, following an invitation by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the Somali Future Council for discussions on major national issues, including the constitution and the electoral process — both of which remain contentious between the government and the opposition.
The announcement follows growing political tensions, with opposition groups presenting broader initiatives aimed at influencing the country’s political future, while the federal government continues efforts to promote dialogue and finalize an electoral framework.
The dispute is taking place amid widespread demolitions, forced evictions, and redevelopment projects carried out in Mogadishu over the past two years. Critics, including opposition leaders and civil society organizations, accuse authorities of ignoring due process and failing to provide sufficient compensation or legal grounds for the evictions.
Federal and Banaadir regional authorities have defended the actions, arguing that they are necessary to recover public land and improve urban planning. However, disagreements over land ownership and the legality of the evictions have continued to fuel political and legal tensions in the capital.