The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Western embassies and the European Union’s mission in Somalia have this morning expressed concern over the overnight violence experienced in Mogadishu.
IGAD said the violence should stop as Somalia remains central to the region's peace, security and development.
"At this critical moment, preserving peace, stability, national unity, and the gains made in Somalia's state-building efforts is of paramount importance. IGAD urges all stakeholders to place the interests of the Somali people first and to pursue peaceful solutions through dialogue and consensus," IGAD's Executive Secretary Dr Workeneh Gebeyehu said.
In separate statements, the foreign missions also called for an end to the violence and pushed for dialogue between both sections of the political divide.
“The international community stands ready to assist in Somali-led talks, should they be requested. In this delicate moment, we urge all Somali leaders to prioritise the national interest and refrain from any actions that may lead to an escalation of tensions,” a joint statement by several missions stated.
The statement was signed by the EU delegation to Somalia, the Embassy of Finland in Nairobi, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nairobi, the French Embassy, Australia, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, the Slovak Republic, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and Ireland, as well as the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
Particularly, UNTMIS warned that Somalia is facing the risk of repeating the crisis that arose in 2021 over differences regarding the electoral roadmap after not heeding the warnings that were issued.
“UNTMIS urges all Somali leaders to prioritise the national interest and resume the talks that ended on May 15. Somalia's international partners stand ready to facilitate such a dialogue,” the mission added.
In their separate statements, the UK and US missions in Mogadishu said, “The violence unfolding in Mogadishu is reckless. Somali leaders on all sides have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve differences through peaceful means. Actions taken in the coming hours and days may have lasting consequences for Somalia’s security, unity, and future,” the US Embassy in Mogadishu said.
“Violence is unacceptable, and we call on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in inclusive, constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully,” the UK High Commission in Mogadishu said.
Chaos broke out in the country after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that his term had been extended for a year after it was due to expire on May 15, a decision that was rejected by the opposition and regional leaders. A major protest was scheduled for Thursday to insist on their rejection of the election postponement.
On Wednesday, heavy gunfire broke out in central Mogadishu, with former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire saying that he was being attacked by government forces before the planned protests.
“For more than 20 hours, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has directed a sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me, dozens of respected traditional elders, and other political leaders in Mogadishu. Heavy weaponry, more commonly associated with conventional battlefield operations than densely populated urban areas, including anti-tank weapons, drones, and other military assets, has been deployed against us,” the former PM said in a post on X.
On his part, former president Mohamed Farmaajo called out the President for the violence, which he claimed was targeting opposition leaders.
“Hassan Sheikh must cease his violent actions against opposition leaders and the public. His legal term is up. We need to proceed to the elections based on consensus immediately. I urge the Somali people to remain strong and security forces to protect our citizens,” he said on Thursday.
In its response, the government accused the former Prime Minister and former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed of leading an armed attempt to destabilise the state.
“The coup attempt orchestrated by these individuals against the Somali state has been thwarted and is now on the verge of collapse,” Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said in a statement posted on social media.
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