MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Residents of Mogadishu have expressed strong anger over the decision announced last night by the opposition alliance in Mogadishu to cancel today’s planned protests in the capital.
Kaab TV conducted a public opinion survey among some of the city’s residents, who pointed out that last night’s announcement did not include any solution for the thousands of people displaced after their lands and homes were seized.
Abdullahi Mohamed, a young man living in Mogadishu, told Kaab TV that protests are a constitutional right and cannot be denied to the people.
“The government cannot block demonstrations. Hassan Sheikh himself was leading protests in the streets not long ago,” Abdullahi said.
Khayre Ma-safaade, another resident, said many of those displaced from their homes are still scattered in open spaces and facing ongoing abuses, including arbitrary arrests and beatings for voicing their grievances.
“Not even a proposal was presented. People were suddenly told to vacate everywhere. The public is still crying out, but no solution has been offered,” Khayre said.
Although the opposition’s Salvation Forum announced last night that the protests would be postponed for nine days following a meeting with clan elders, demonstrations still broke out this morning in Mogadishu’s Dayniile district.
Protesters there said they were opposing land grabs, chanting slogans such as “We don’t want Hassan the thief. We don’t want land grabbing.”
Dayniile is among the areas most affected by land seizures allegedly linked to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his family.
The opposition alliance said the protests will resume after the nine-day postponement and warned against the continued arrests and mistreatment of community members who support the opposition.