Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Banadir Regional Police Commander Mahdi Omar Mumin, widely known as Macallin Mahdi, has warned that Somali security forces are tracking and preparing to arrest armed individuals allegedly linked to opposition demonstrations in Mogadishu, amid growing political tensions between the federal government and opposition groups.
Speaking during a press briefing, the senior police commander accused armed men accompanying opposition protesters of threatening government security personnel and attempting to create instability in the capital at a time of heightened political uncertainty.
Commander Mahdi said security agencies had gathered extensive information on the suspects, including their identities, photographs, locations, and national registration details, adding that authorities would take legal action against anyone accused of carrying weapons or participating in activities deemed a threat to public security.
“We are warning the militias and those sheltering them in their homes that they will be held accountable. We have your names, your photographs, and your information. Every individual is registered through the national identification system, and legal action will be taken against anyone involved in destabilizing security,” he said.
He also called on residents of Mogadishu to avoid what he described as politically motivated attempts to incite unrest through demonstrations and public mobilization campaigns.
The remarks come as tensions continue to escalate between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition groups over constitutional amendments, election-related disputes, and accusations of political repression by the administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
In recent weeks, opposition leaders have accused the government of restricting political freedoms, carrying out politically motivated arrests, and using security institutions to suppress dissent ahead of planned anti-government protests in the capital.
The government, however, insists that security measures being implemented in Mogadishu are necessary to prevent violence, maintain public order, and stop armed groups from exploiting political gatherings to destabilize the city.
Videos widely shared on social media appeared to show men carrying protest banners while standing among individuals dressed in Somali Police Force and Somali National Army uniforms. The footage sparked public concern and debate over the presence of armed individuals within politically charged demonstrations.
Security officials fear that armed infiltration into political protests could trigger clashes in Mogadishu, a city that has experienced repeated security crises, militant attacks, and political confrontations over the past two decades.
The latest warnings also come amid increased security operations across the capital, including expanded checkpoints, intensified identity checks, and patrols around government buildings and strategic roads. Authorities have recently tightened access to sensitive areas near the presidential palace and key government institutions.
Political observers say the growing confrontational rhetoric from both the government and opposition reflects deepening polarization in Somalia’s political landscape, with fears that disputes over governance and elections could further destabilize the fragile security situation in Mogadishu.
Analysts also warn that the involvement of armed individuals in political mobilization could increase the risk of violence if dialogue between rival political factions fails to produce compromise.
Somalia’s opposition groups have continued calling for demonstrations against the federal government, accusing President Hassan Sheikh’s administration of consolidating power and undermining consensus-based politics, allegations the government strongly denies.
The Banadir police commander’s warning underscores rising concerns among Somali authorities that political tensions in the capital could spiral into broader unrest if armed actors become increasingly involved in opposition activities.