Somalia’s opposition denounces alleged displacement, killings, and arrests in Mogadishu

Mogadishu opposition condemns alleged looting, forced displacement in Yaqshiid, cites killing and detentions

MOGADISHU — The Somali Salvation Forum, a major opposition bloc, on Saturday condemned what it described as a wave of abuses in parts of Mogadishu, accusing security agencies of looting, forced displacement and other violations, particularly in the Yaqshiid district.

In a statement, the Forum expressed condolences over the killing of Abdullahi Abdi Raage, a young resident of the Buulo-Geesaale neighborhood. According to the group, Abdullahi — described as a longtime resident facing eviction — was reportedly shot dead while attempting to speak out against the removals.

The Forum also denounced the arrest and intimidation of Himilo Media photographer Abdullahi Mohamed Ali (Saawey), who it said was detained while reporting on the displacement. It further condemned what it called the unlawful detention of Kamil Abdi Macow, a staff member of the Mogadishu local government.

The statement accused security agencies of violating the law and using excessive force, which the Forum said resulted in the killing and injury of civilians. It urged authorities to halt forced displacement immediately and to protect civil rights and press freedom amid the operations in Yaqshiid and surrounding areas.

Appealing directly to the president and national security leaders, the group called for swift action against officials it alleges were involved in abuses. The Forum warned that continued violations risk further eroding public trust and damaging Somalia’s reputation.

The Somali Salvation Forum’s intervention underscores mounting political scrutiny over the conduct of security operations in Mogadishu. While details of the events in Yaqshiid remain limited to the opposition’s account, the allegations — spanning the fatal shooting of a resident, the detention of a journalist and the arrest of a local government employee — have sharpened concerns about the treatment of civilians and the space for independent reporting.

Beyond its condemnation, the opposition bloc emphasized that safeguarding journalists and ensuring due process are essential to public confidence, urging authorities to prioritize legal standards and accountability measures during any enforcement activity.

• End forced displacement in Yaqshiid and other affected areas.
• Safeguard civil rights and press freedom during security operations.
• Take swift action against officials implicated in alleged abuses.
• Restore public trust by adhering to the rule of law.

The Forum did not provide further details about the circumstances leading to Abdullahi’s death or the current status of the detainees. Government authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of the statement. The opposition warned that failure to address the claims could deepen public skepticism and strain Somalia’s efforts to project stability.

Saturday’s statement adds to sustained calls from civil society and political actors for clear guidelines and oversight of security operations in densely populated neighborhoods, where allegations of arbitrary evictions and excessive force have periodically surfaced. The Somali Salvation Forum said it would continue to monitor the situation in Yaqshiid and press for protections for residents and media workers.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.