Heavy Gunfire Erupts in Mogadishu as Election Crisis Sparks Political Violence

Heavy gunfire has broken out across several parts of Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, as tensions over delayed elections and the disputed extension of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term escalate into armed confrontations between government forces and opposition-linked fighters.

Residents reported sustained exchanges of gunfire overnight in multiple neighbourhoods, with some areas also coming under mortar fire. Police confirmed that they had launched what they described as a “large-scale security operation” targeting armed militias accused of carrying out attacks in parts of the city.

The violence follows growing political tension after President Mohamud’s official term ended on 15 May but was extended by one year. Opposition figures have rejected the extension, calling it unconstitutional, and have accused the government of attempting to suppress planned protests.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that government forces attacked him and other opposition leaders while they were preparing for demonstrations, describing the action as an assault on constitutional rights. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed also vowed that the planned protests would go ahead despite the violence.

The federal government and opposition groups had previously entered talks to resolve the political deadlock but failed to reach an agreement, leaving the country in a deepening standoff over its electoral process.

Somalia, which has not held a one-person, one-vote election since 1969 and has endured decades of civil conflict, has been attempting to transition toward a more direct democratic system under the current administration.

The US Embassy in Mogadishu condemned the violence as “reckless” and urged all sides to resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue, warning that continued clashes could further destabilise the fragile security situation.

Casualty figures remain unclear, and President Mohamud has not yet publicly commented on the latest outbreak of violence.