Fighting Breaks Out Among Somali Army Units Near The Presidents Residence

Posted by: Suubi Anne in African News April 26, 2021

Fighting has broken out among different Somali army units at Mogadishu near the presidents’ residence. Reports indicate that massive weapons were used and mortar rounds fired during this fight. The army units were divided by political interests. Some of the units support the current president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed while others don’t.

President Mohamed apparently extended his stay in power for two more years. They expected him to leave power in February 2021. This is the reason that led to the conflict among the army units. The UN and the African Union condemned his approval of the motion to extend his stay in power.

The media in Somalia reported that this fighting between Somali army units also involved some of the clan leaders and former warlords. Reports also show that this fighting was between the pro-government army and anti-government supporting opposition. This fighting spread out to the central areas of the city.

The anti-government forces further went around the city chanting their displease with the term extension.

“We do not want a term extension. We do not want Farmajo…”

Meanwhile, Hassan Hundubey Jimale the Somali security minister accused foreign countries of being behind this violence.

“People who do not care for their people and country have organised militias. Refused to listen to peace overtures and attacked Mogadishu today,” the minister said. “Security forces ended the militia attack [by force] after attempts to defuse the situation peacefully failed.”

For a long time, Somalia has been under war but just recently there was a wave of peace. Farmajo’s extension of the term has, however, disorganized the peace.

Caasimada Online, a privately owned website, said anti-government protesters had taken to the streets. They burned tyres, and rebel soldiers had seized control in parts of north Mogadishu.

Source: BBC

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