Clashes in Somalia capital renew political crisis

Civilians in Somalia's capital fled for safety as government forces and opposition militias violently clashed, ignited by a political crisis, over multiple nights in Mogadishu this week.

There were reports of gunfire and explosions in multiple neighborhoods on 3 and 4 June before the government said "security forces have fully restored order."

“I couldn’t even think. Everyone was shouting and running for their lives, and we all fled from the bullets,” Mustafa told Al Jazeera about driving through one of the districts that experienced fighting. “We haven’t seen fighting this bad in years.”

At least 13 casualties and 189 injuries were reported on the first day of violence, according to three humanitarian organizations working in Somalia. They also reported about 12,500 households fled their homes, and others sheltered.

“We heard heavy weapons fire, and people were fleeing their homes,” Abdullahi Mohamed said to the Associated Press. “Many families left the area looking for safer places.”

A deputy central bank governor told Al Jazeera that the cost of the violence stood at $3.8 million. Businesses shut, and the largest commercial hub in Mogadishu—Bakara market—was closed.

"Opposition group militias have been disarmed, removed, and civilians have returned to their daily lives," the information ministry said in a statement on 5 June. The ministry said in another release that an investigation for possible prosecutions is underway.

However, residents told Reuters that "the militias were not disarmed but rather stopped fighting after mediation involving clan elders," which local reports also confirmed such meditations that led to the renewed calm.

This crisis is a continuation of a long-running historic conflict over how Somalia should be governed, but more specifically began over recent frustrations around president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's extended rule.

The crisis also brewed over anti-government protests planned for 4 June, which former president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former prime minister Mohamed Hassan Ali Khaire were behind.

Al Jazeera reported that there were issues over when and where such gatherings could occur. And both Ahmed and Khaire claimed that government forces targeted their homes prior to the demonstrations. Because of the fighting, the protests never happened.

How did this all start?

In March, Somalia's parliament adopted new constitutional amendments that extended presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, and delayed national elections into 2027.

The country's opposition reacted with anger, independent publication Somalia Today reported, alleging that the process didn't follow parliamentary bylaws and the changes didn't pass required thresholds of two-thirds majorities.

It was at first unclear if the changes affected the current leadership—the opposition contested that the current administration's term ended on 15 May as scheduled while speaker of the lower house, Aden Mohamed Nuur Madobe, said the new amendments applied.

Last month, president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asserted in public remarks (video) that his term is expiring on 15 May of next year, citing the new constitution.

Somalia Today wrote there will be ongoing mediation talks between the government and opposition groups, possibly around "the political crisis and wider disputes over the country's electoral path."

"Political disagreements exist in every democracy, and this government remains open to dialogue," the ministry of information said on 5 June.

"However, that dialogue must take place through constitutional and peaceful means. Armed force is not a legitimate political tool, and any actor who chooses it will be held fully accountable..."

Beyond the paywall, the piece dives deep into Somalia's history and the various crises the envelope the country. It also looks at the complications what lies ahead in terms of governance and elections. Please subscribe to access.