As gunfire subsides, Somalia's international partners call resumption of dialogue, reiterate "violence is not option"

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As gunfire subsides, Somalia's international partners call resumption of dialogue, reiterate "violence is not option"

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) Mogadishu's life normal life seems to be returning to normalcy following Sunday's sporadic gunfire and protests against mandate extension by the government hit across the capital, Somalia's internatio

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people walk behind a roadblock setup by the anti government forces in Mogadishu. Photo: Horn Observer

Mogadishu, Somalia (Horn Observer) Mogadishu's life normal life seems to be returning to normalcy following Sunday's sporadic gunfire and protests against mandate extension by the government hit across the capital, Somalia's international partners reiterate "violence is not option and return to negotiating table".

On Monday morning residents say in what looks like repeated old scenario, families were seen fleeing from the violence in parts of Mogadishu neighborhoods, where heavy gunfight ensued on Sunday night.While water and electricity were cut in parts of Howlwadaag neighborhood

"its Ramadaan, we don’t have much resources and we are forced to flee for our lives,” Fatima Hussein, a 34 year old with 4 children who was fleeing with her children on rickshaw said, "in 2021, we were not expecting such violence to happen.”

Somalia’s international partners United Nations, European Union, Finland, Germany and UK have all called on warring groups to return to the negotiation table, reiterating that violence is not acceptable”.

"@UN in#Somalia is deeply concerned about clashes occurring in #Mogadishu. We urge calm and maximum restraint by all parties. Violence is not the solution to the current #political stalemate. We urgently call on all parties to resume immediate #dialogue.” United Nations Assistance Mission to Somalia said on twitter.

Similarly Finland, Germany, UK and European Unionfollowed with similar statement on twitter.

The statements follow a mid the Somali government has lost control much of the capital Mogadishu to antigovernment police and military units who said they are against the parliament’s term extension.

On 12 April 2021 Somalia's Lower House members have extended the mandateof President Mohamed Farmajo by two years a decision which was widely opposed by the opposition candidates and draw criticism and international condemnation from Somalia’s partners.

Aftermath of Sunday's gunfight, Somali government has lost much of the capital to the opposition groups.

"I, Col. Abdulkadir Mohamed Mursal, along with other senior officials, police, military and NISA units occupied last night Howlwadaag neighborhood and parts of Hodan district.” Col. Abdikadir Mohamed Mursal told local media near Wehliye hotel in Howlwadaag neighborhood, "We don’t want negotiation, we only want either Farmaajo resigns or forgets the two year extension.”

Among the revolting army officials include top US trained officer Major Ismail Abdikarim and his troops who managed to take over many positions including Dabka and Sayidka junctions from government forces last night, less than 500m to the national parliament building and Villa Somalia, according to local media reports many police and military units are defecting to the opposition groups on hourly basis.

Somali prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble said on Monday morning that "he was saddened by Sunday’s violence in the capital; says dialogue and understanding is the best approach to solving the crisis.”

However, many believe Prime Minister Rooble’s language was soft and did not mention concrete measures or plans to resolve the matter and whether the embattled president will return to the negotiating table.