Somali security forces have restored order in two districts of the capital, Mogadishu, following violent clashes between government troops and militias aligned with opposition politicians, the Information Ministry said on Friday.
The fighting erupted on Thursday and forced some residents to flee their homes as gunfire and heavy weapons were used in populated areas. The violence came ahead of planned protests against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s decision to remain in office after his term officially expired last month. The demonstrations ultimately did not take place.
In a statement, the Information Ministry said opposition militias had been disarmed and removed from the affected areas.
“Opposition group militias have been disarmed and removed, and civilians have returned to their daily lives,” the ministry said.
However, residents and local sources offered a different account. They said the militias were not disarmed but instead stopped fighting after mediation efforts led by clan elders. Reuters was unable to reach opposition leaders for immediate comment.
The political dispute centers on constitutional changes approved by Parliament in March. The amendments could allow President Mohamud to extend his term by one year and delay the next election, a move that has drawn criticism from opposition figures.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused government forces of targeting his residence during Thursday’s clashes. Ahmed, who served as Somalia’s president from 2009 to 2012, also accused the government of “illegally altering the constitution.”
Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that government troops used heavy weapons, including anti-tank weapons and drones, in densely populated neighborhoods. Reuters was not able to independently verify those claims.
On Friday, the Information Ministry rejected the accusations and instead blamed Ahmed and Khaire for escalating tensions. The ministry accused the opposition leaders of endangering civilians by deploying militias into residential areas and attacking police officers.
The international community has called for restraint. The United Nations, the African Union, and an East African regional bloc urged all parties involved in the violence to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than armed confrontation.
Somalia has faced decades of instability since the collapse of President Mohamed Siad Barre’s government in 1991. The country continues to struggle with political divisions, clan-based conflicts, and a long-running insurgency led by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militant group.
