What next for angry anti-government protesters in Somalia?
Somali opposition candidates have accused the government of blocking last week's protests against outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmajo, and his administration.
“The person who created the chaos should now
avoid using his power,” said Dahir Geele, a member of the coalition of
opposition candidates in a statement released Wednesday.
The opposition leaders also
accused the government of attacking a hotel in Mogadishu where they were
staying last week.
Somali government troops clashed
with supporters of opposition leaders on 19 February, as they tried to march
near the Mogadishu airport.
The opposition has now called for
another anti-government protest rally, to be held at Unknown Soldier’s monument
this Friday, in an effort to pressure Farmajo to cede power.
“Given that the government is yet to apologise
for its heinous attack on peaceful protesters, we are once again calling for
another big rally at the national monument square,” said opposition chair
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, a former Somali president.
“And the government should protect this peaceful
rally,” he added.
The calls for protest stem from
the Somali government’s failure to hold elections by the 8 February deadline,
when Farmajo’s presidential term ended.
The opposition has called for him
to step down to create space for a transitional authority, as they no longer
recognise his administration.
The group proposed the creation of
a national council of lawmakers, opposition leaders and civil society to govern
the country prior to choosing a new president.
However, the government has
remained firm and has refused to bow to pressure.
Government spokesman Mohamed
Ibrahim Moalimuu said protests must not be held due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“We won’t allow any rally, be it one organised
by the government or the opposition, to take place in Mogadishu because of the
surge of coronavirus and security threats,” Somalia Security Minister Hassan
Hundubey said.
Mixed reactions from Mogadishu
residents
During the first protests last
Friday, the simmering anger among political elite over delayed elections
spilled onto the streets and protesters bore the brunt as government troops
exchanged fire with armed militia.
Mogadishu resident Ahmed Hassan
told RFI he supports the planned protest rally.
“I’ll go to the demonstration to show our stand
regarding delayed elections, and I’ll be happy to attend,” he said.
However, there those who are
against the rally.
“In light of the last protest rally, all that
happened was violence so I will not attend. I don’t support the
demonstrations,” said another Mogadishu resident, Hussein Ali.
Regional governments sound off
The north-east Puntland regional
government issued a three-page statement on Tuesday regarding the political
situation and electoral impasse, which includes eight pre-condition points in
order to return to talks.
“President Farmajo must sign a decree limiting
executive and legislative powers of the presidency and the parliament,” the
statement said.
Another precondition that is bound
to draw the ire of Villa Somalia is Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni’s
demand for the sacking of three senior federal security commanders.
The planned Friday protests in
Mogadishu will further escalate tensions for a country that already is in a
crisis.
The Somali opposition says the
anti-government protests will continue until Farmajo accepts to negotiate and
levels the political playing field, so the country can have free and fair
elections.
Puntland and the southern
Jubbaland region will only go back to the negotiating table if their new
conditions are met, further complicating and stalling the electoral processes.
Somalis are apprehensively
watching as their political elite squabble, putting achievements made in
state-building efforts at risk.
