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Somalia: Opposition calls for mass demonstration over evictions in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders have announced plans to hold a peaceful protest against the federal government’s ongoing mass evictions and alleged land grabs in Mogadishu, calling on residents to take to the streets to voice their discontent and exercise their constitutional rights.The announcement came Tuesday during a high-level opposition conference attended by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who now leads the opposition, and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. Both leaders urged Mogadishu residents to participate in the upcoming demonstration in large numbers.“The protest will be entirely peaceful,” said former President Sharif. “No insults will be hurled, and no violence will be tolerated. Our goal is simply to express public opposition to the government’s policy of forcibly evicting residents – entire neighborhoods have been uprooted, leaving thousands homeless.”The planned demonstration follows weeks of tension after a previously scheduled protest late last month was postponed due to fears of a government crackdown. At the time, clan elders and members of parliament intervened, urging opposition leaders to delay the protest to avoid potential bloodshed. In return, they pledged to pressure the government to allow a future demonstration under peaceful conditions.Despite the delay and renewed calls for peaceful assembly, it remains unclear whether the Somali government – whose officials threatened a harsh response to last month’s protest plans – will now permit the rescheduled demonstration to proceed.The opposition accuses the federal government of carrying out systematic forced evictions across Mogadishu, often without due process or compensation, fueling public anger and deepening the humanitarian crisis in the capital.As tensions mount, all eyes are now on the government’s next move – and whether it will respect the constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully protest, or risk further unrest by blocking their demands for justice and accountability.Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com

admin October 8, 2025 2 min read

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders have announced plans to hold a peaceful protest against the federal government’s ongoing mass evictions and alleged land grabs in Mogadishu, calling on residents to take to the streets to voice their discontent and exercise their constitutional rights.

The announcement came Tuesday during a high-level opposition conference attended by former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who now leads the opposition, and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. Both leaders urged Mogadishu residents to participate in the upcoming demonstration in large numbers.

“The protest will be entirely peaceful,” said former President Sharif. “No insults will be hurled, and no violence will be tolerated. Our goal is simply to express public opposition to the government’s policy of forcibly evicting residents – entire neighborhoods have been uprooted, leaving thousands homeless.”

The planned demonstration follows weeks of tension after a previously scheduled protest late last month was postponed due to fears of a government crackdown. At the time, clan elders and members of parliament intervened, urging opposition leaders to delay the protest to avoid potential bloodshed. In return, they pledged to pressure the government to allow a future demonstration under peaceful conditions.

Despite the delay and renewed calls for peaceful assembly, it remains unclear whether the Somali government – whose officials threatened a harsh response to last month’s protest plans – will now permit the rescheduled demonstration to proceed.

The opposition accuses the federal government of carrying out systematic forced evictions across Mogadishu, often without due process or compensation, fueling public anger and deepening the humanitarian crisis in the capital.

As tensions mount, all eyes are now on the government’s next move – and whether it will respect the constitutional rights of citizens to peacefully protest, or risk further unrest by blocking their demands for justice and accountability.