Mogadishu (Kaab TV) — Former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said on Sunday that security forces had blocked roads leading to his residence and prevented lawmakers and opposition figures from reaching him ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations in Mogadishu.
Sharif, who chairs the opposition Somali Future Council, said during an X Spaces discussion that troops had been deployed in parts of the capital and that the movement of politicians and lawmakers had been restricted ahead of Sunday’s protests.
He accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government of attempting to prevent opposition leaders from participating in demonstrations organized over forced evictions, demolitions, and land disputes in Mogadishu.
“We are not waging war, and we are not carrying weapons. We are only accompanied by our guards,” Sharif said, stressing that the opposition had no intention of staging an armed uprising.
He added that the opposition was committed to a peaceful demonstration and did not seek confrontation with security forces. However, he warned that the security measures in Mogadishu reflected what he described as “a system that is collapsing.”
Sharif said overnight operations had tightened security across the city, with roads closed, troops deployed, and access to opposition figures restricted.
“We want peace, not war. We want the Somali people to have the opportunity to express their views,” he said.
He urged all parties to avoid actions that could lead to bloodshed, warning that any attempt to block peaceful protests would further deepen political tensions in the capital.
The Somali Future Council said Sunday’s demonstrations were planned across several districts in the Banadir region. Opposition leaders accuse the federal government of displacing residents from homes and businesses without proper legal procedures, compensation, or justification.
However, federal and Banadir regional authorities have rejected the plan, stating that any protest will only be permitted at Engineer Yarisow Stadium. Officials said demonstrations elsewhere in Mogadishu would not be allowed due to security concerns.
The standoff has increased anxiety in the capital, with residents fearing possible clashes between government security forces and opposition supporters.
Sunday’s protest is also expected to coincide with a planned meeting between President Mohamud and opposition leaders on key national issues, including constitutional reforms and the electoral process—both of which remain major points of contention between the government and its critics.