Somalia’s opposition leaders have announced plans for a
major demonstration in the capital on Sunday, protesting what they describe as
illegal demolitions and forced evictions of vulnerable residents carried out
under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed made the
announcement on Wednesday alongside senior opposition figures, stressing that
the planned protest will remain peaceful and urging security forces not to
interfere with citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
“The right to housing and the freedom to demonstrate is a
constitutional right and not a privilege that can be curtailed by the State,”
Sheikh Sharif said.
The opposition accuses the government of overseeing a
sustained campaign of demolitions targeting informal settlements in Mogadishu.
They argue that the operations have displaced hundreds of
thousands of vulnerable residents over the past two years, deepening the
capital’s already severe internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis.
They also allege that state land and privately occupied
plots have been illegally sold during the eviction process, further aggravating
tensions in the city.
According to the opposition, the demolitions have
disproportionately affected low-income families who were already displaced by
conflict and drought.
Sheikh Sharif called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to
immediately halt the evictions and uphold constitutional protections.
“I call on President Hassan Sheikh to respect the
constitutional right to housing. Every Somali has the right to shelter and
security,” he said.
He further appealed directly to Somali youth to take part in
the planned demonstration without fear, encouraging broad civic participation
in what opposition leaders describe as a peaceful expression of public concern.
“I urge the youth not to be scared, and come out without
fear,” he added.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and
Amnesty International, have repeatedly raised concerns over forced evictions in
Mogadishu.
They have documented cases in which thousands of internally
displaced persons were removed from settlements without adequate notice,
consultation, or alternative housing arrangements.
The groups argue that such actions violate international
human rights standards and worsen the vulnerability of populations already
affected by prolonged conflict and climate-related displacement.
If the planned demonstration proceeds as announced, it would
mark one of the largest public political gatherings in Mogadishu in recent
years, reflecting rising tensions between the opposition and the federal
government.
Opposition leaders said they are still hopeful that
authorities will intervene before Sunday to address grievances and prevent
possible confrontation between protesters and security forces.
The call for protests comes amid heightened political
tensions in Somalia over the absence of a mutually agreed electoral roadmap.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term is set to expire in
less than 10 days, intensifying uncertainty over the country’s political
transition.
Meanwhile, the Banadir regional administration, which
oversees Mogadishu, has not issued an official response to the planned
demonstration or the allegations raised by the opposition.
