The demonstration, organised under the slogan Dareen Hiil Shacab (“Solidarity with the People”), was planned at around ten locations across the capital to denounce recent government‑ordered evictions that have displaced thousands.
Opposition leaders said authorities restricted the protest to a single stadium and imposed sweeping movement controls, blocking major roads and surrounding the homes of key opposition figures.
Despite the restrictions, dozens gathered in the Deyniile district, where witnesses say security forces opened fire to break up the crowd.
Former prime minister Hassan Ali Kheire called the incident a “brutal attack” on peaceful demonstrators, saying one person was killed and another wounded.
“I saw one person lying dead by the roadside and another injured,” said Alinur Ahmed.
“People fled when the troops opened fire,” added Mohamed Siyad, who said some were hit by bullets but could not confirm the number of casualties.
AFP said it could not independently verify the figures.
The government rejected the accusations, instead claiming the opposition attempted to incite unrest.
“This was not a protest organised in good faith; rather, it was intended to destabilise Somalia,” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told reporters.
He insisted that while the constitution protects peaceful demonstrations, it “does not mean allowing chaos or the use of weapons.”.
The violence comes at a sensitive moment: Mohamud’s term ends in five days, and elections are scheduled for June.
The government continues to struggle to assert authority beyond Mogadishu as it battles al‑Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency for nearly 20 years.
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
