Somalia: Outrage in Mogadishu as Army General is Detained, Sparking Public Protests

Protests erupted in Mogadishu, Somalia, as a result of the arrest of former military General Sheegow Ahmed Ali. Hundreds of people took to the streets demanding his immediate release. The arrest came after clashes between rebels allied with Sheegow and the police. The protestors marched from Dharkenley District towards Sayid Junction, which leads to the Presidential Palace. Eyewitnesses reported that security officers stationed near the palace used live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, but there were no casualties. Traffic congestion occurred along Maka Al-Mukarama during the protests. Participants accused the police of using excessive force, leading to a loss of confidence in the government. In addition to Sheegow, the police also arrested 24 armed militia members who await charges for their involvement in the violent demonstrations. The unrest illustrates the frequent occurrence of mutiny and dissent in Somalia, a country plagued by instability for the past thirty years. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been focused on combating the Al-Shabaab militants, who seek to overthrow the government.