MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders announced Wednesday that they have once again postponed a planned protest against the federal government’s ongoing mass evictions in Mogadishu, citing security concerns following a deadly Al-Shabaab attack earlier this week.
The demonstration, initially scheduled for Thursday, was meant to protest the forced evictions that have left tens of thousands of residents homeless in the capital. However, the opposition said that, after talks with federal authorities, both sides agreed to delay the protest for an additional 10 days.
A joint technical committee will be established to coordinate the staging of a peaceful protest, ensuring it is not infiltrated by militants and does not result in violence or a police crackdown.
This is the second time in recent weeks that the opposition has postponed a protest. A similar demonstration planned late last month was called off after clan elders reportedly urged opposition leaders to avoid confrontation that could lead to bloodshed.
Despite the postponement, some observers have questioned whether other factors may have influenced the decision. Notably, there were no signs of preparation for the protest as of Wednesday, raising speculation that the opposition may have feared a poor turnout – an outcome that could have damaged its public image amid escalating tensions with the government.
The federal government has faced growing criticism for the evictions, which critics say are being carried out without resettlement plans for displaced families. The opposition has accused authorities of exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in a city already grappling with insecurity and economic hardship.
The latest delay comes just days after a deadly car bombing and armed assault by Al-Shabaab militants in Mogadishu, underlining the volatile security environment in which political protests would be held.
It remains to be seen whether the opposition’s protest will go ahead as planned in the coming weeks, and whether it will garner the mass support it seeks to demonstrate against the government’s eviction policy.
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