MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has accused opposition leaders of orchestrating a coup attempt following a deadly shootout in the capital, Mogadishu, on Wednesday.
In strongly worded remarks on Thursday, Barre said the government had taken decisive steps to counter what he described as threats to national peace and stability. He directed security forces to take all necessary measures against those he accused of undermining the rule of law – an implicit rebuke of the opposition.
The clashes erupted after a group of high-profile opposition figures, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, visited the Wardhigley police station. The group had sought the release of an elderly man whose violent arrest by security forces had sparked public outrage after a video of the incident went viral.
However, tensions quickly spiraled into violence. Government troops reportedly opened fire on the visiting former officials, prompting a firefight with armed guards escorting the opposition leaders. Several vehicles were damaged or destroyed in the exchange, and a bodyguard for former Prime Minister Khaire was killed.
The Prime Minister’s remarks were echoed by Mogadishu’s mayor, Hassan Mohamed Mungab, who warned of a crackdown on any attempts to hold protests. The opposition has called for mass demonstrations in the capital on Saturday – a move the mayor branded as destabilising. He urged residents to stay away and vowed that security forces would act decisively.
By Thursday, the atmosphere in Mogadishu was palpably tense. Heavily armed troops were stationed across key checkpoints, particularly on roads leading to the homes of opposition leaders – measures widely interpreted as an attempt to prevent Saturday’s planned protests from gaining momentum.
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