Due to the clash between soldiers loyal to the government and others angry at the country’s leader, gunfire broke out as tensions spike over President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s extended stay in power.
There were no reports of casualties, but the gunfire heard across much of the city highlighted earlier warnings that the election standoff could increase instability in the Horn of Africa nation.
The estimated hundreds of rebellious soldiers, still in uniform, took up key positions in northern Mogadishu as some residents hid. There was no immediate comment from the government.
The Horn of Africa country faces growing instability after the lower house of parliament approved a two-year extension of the president’s mandate and that of the federal government, sparking the fury of Senate leaders and vocal criticism of the international community. The African Union was the latest to condemn the actions.
Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Mogadishu, chanting “we don’t want a dictatorship.” They also stamped on and set fire to images of President Mohamed.
“Today, we have gathered here to show our feelings towards the government extending its term and towards a dictator who wants to use force to stay in power. We thank the military forces who helped us demonstrate peacefully,” said protester Abshir Shu’ayb.
The soldiers were believed to have entered the city from military bases outside Mogadishu. Most of them belong to the clan of former presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Both have vowed to forcefully dislodge the president if he does not return to negotiations over the election delay or resign.