Somali police, Khaire blame each other after Mogadishu gunfight ahead of protest

Wednesday June 3, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Tensions erupted into gunfire in central Mogadishu on Wednesday, as Somali police and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire exchanged accusations over a brief clash near Dabka junction just hours before opposition rallies were due to begin in the capital.

Police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan said in a video posted on the Somali Police Force’s Facebook page that masked armed men stormed a police checkpoint where security personnel were deployed. He said the assailants were carrying heavy weapons, including assault rifles.

“The area that was attacked was an important place for ensuring public security and was close to neighborhoods and homes inhabited by civilians,” Abdifatah said. He added that the attackers did not distinguish between security forces and civilians in the area.

The police spokesman did not identify any group responsible and did not directly accuse opposition leaders.

He said police would pursue legal action against anyone or any group found to be involved in activities that threaten security and stability. He also called on the public to stay alert and work with security agencies.

The police account followed a confrontation at Dabka junction between government forces and Khaire’s security guards. Khaire said government troops attacked a consultative meeting he was attending with traditional elders, lawmakers, opposition figures, youth leaders and civil society activists.

“Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose presidential mandate constitutionally expired on May 15, 2026, bears full responsibility for today’s violent attack on our consultative meeting,” Khaire said in a statement posted on social media.

He said more than 70 traditional elders attended the gathering, including Ugaas Abdirizak, Ugaas Abdullahi and Ugaas Hashi, alongside members of Parliament and opposition representatives.

Khaire said the government was seeking to intimidate opposition figures ahead of Thursday’s planned demonstrations.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” Khaire said. “This attack is a grave assault on the constitutional rights of Somali citizens and a deliberate attempt to suppress peaceful assembly.”

He said the incident unfolded as opposition leaders and traditional elders were preparing for what he described as a “Peace Assembly” scheduled for Thursday, following months of reconciliation talks with political and community stakeholders.

In a second post, Khaire accused security forces of also targeting former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, describing the alleged attack as part of an effort to provoke unrest and silence opposition activity.

The clash came only hours after the Banadir Regional Administration and Mogadishu Municipality announced that opposition groups would be permitted to stage demonstrations on Thursday, but only in designated areas and under strict security conditions.

Authorities approved rallies at Banadir Stadium in Abdiaziz district, Mogadishu Stadium in Warta Nabadda district and the Jaamacadaha area in Hodan district.

Officials said protesters would not be allowed to carry weapons and warned that any conduct likely to stir unrest or disturb public order would be barred.

Opposition leaders have rejected efforts to limit demonstrations to specific venues, arguing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right and should be allowed throughout the capital.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Tuesday that opposition groups would not accept being confined to a single location. He urged residents to join the demonstrations.

The planned rallies come against a backdrop of intensifying political friction over elections, constitutional amendments and Somalia’s transition. Opposition leaders accuse Mohamud’s government of forcing through reforms without consensus, while federal officials say they are steering the country toward one-person, one-vote elections and must safeguard public order in Mogadishu.