Thursday October 9, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Salvation Forum, a coalition of
opposition groups, and the federal government have agreed for the second time
to postpone a planned demonstration that was scheduled to take place on
Thursday in Mogadishu.
The postponement comes amid security concerns following last
week’s attack on Godka Jilacow prison.
Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, leader of the Wadajir Party
and member of the Federal Parliament, said the decision was reached after a
joint meeting between the Somali Salvation Forum, the government’s mediation
committee, and senior security officials, including the police and intelligence
commanders.
“We agreed to establish a joint security and coordination
mechanism to ensure protesters can demonstrate safely and without interference.
The government is expected to uphold citizens’ right to protest,” Abdishakur
said.
The planned demonstration had initially been set for late September,
but was delayed after government objections. Elders later mediated an agreement
to hold the protest on October 9, before it was once again postponed.
Opposition groups say the protest aims to condemn the
displacement of civilians from government-owned land and to challenge the
government’s political and electoral agenda.