Calm returned this Sunday evening, April 25, in the Somali capital Mogadishu after a day of tension. As of this morning, the army loyal to President Farmajo had deployed in several points in the city, while troops hostile to the extension of his mandate had taken positions in a neighborhood where opponents shelter. Some demonstrations had taken place during the day and at the end of the afternoon violent clashes were heard in the city.
The night has fallen for several hours in the Somali capital and tensions seem to have subsided. In the late afternoon, for about an hour, short and violent handguns and mortar battles took place, especially in the neighborhoods where two figures of the opposition to President Farmajo, the former president, reside.
Both have also announced on their Twitter account that their home had been “attacked” by government forces and blamed their rival, the head of state, with the support of his armed forces “formed in Turkey”, according to their entourage.
The same source indicates that the two men have not been arrested and are safe. A source close to the government confirms that the purpose of the army was not to “stop them but to disarm them”.
The Minister of the Interior said tonight on public television that the situation was now under control and denied all attacks from opponents. No deaths have yet been reported by the rescue services.
Very tense climate since Sunday morning
The Federal Army’s special forces loyal to President Farmajo quickly took positions in the northern part of the city as murderous soldiers were reported to have arrived in Mogadishu determined to oppose the extension of his term.
It is this two-year extension, which was approved by the lower house of parliament last week, and which is considered illegal by the opposition, which is at the heart of the serious political crisis that the country has been going through since February, when the president’s official resigned after a presidential election could not be organized.
Since then, the negotiations under international supervision have been in vain and tensions have gradually increased until today’s confrontation. British and European ambassadors to Mogadishu said they were “very concerned” and warned that the perpetrators of the violence would face responsibility.
Weerarka ay ciidamada ka amar qaata Farmaajo ku qaadeen hoyga musharrax Cabdiraxmaan Cabdishakuur waxa uu muujinayaa qorshaha Farmaajo ee uu doonayo in uu ku laayo siyaasiyiinta. Shacabka Soomaaliyeed waxaan ugu baaqayaa inay u istaagaan badbaadinta dadkooda iyo dalkooda https://t.co/7pNVXS5Tbk
– Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud) April 25, 2021.
