Clashes between Somali troops and opposition militias kill one and injure 55; government accuses leaders of coup attempt

Fighting between Somali federal troops and opposition-allied militias broke out in Mogadishu on June 3, killing one person and injuring 55 others. The clashes occurred ahead of planned protests for June 4 against the presidential term extension. The demonstrations did not take place.

The Somali government said it restored order through mediation involving clan elders. Official talks between the government and opposition, led by the United States and United Kingdom, collapsed on May 15 and have not resumed. On Sunday, former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, widely known as Farmaajo, said he would lead a dialogue to resolve the political deadlock.

Somalia’s elections were originally scheduled for earlier in 2026. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term was extended by one year and was slated to end on May 15. Somalia’s parliament passed constitutional amendments in March to replace the indirect clan-based electoral system with a direct vote and extended the mandates of both the president and parliament from four to five years.

Somalia has not held a direct national vote since the 1969 coup by Mohamed Siad Barre. After the fall of Barre’s government in 1991, the country had no effective central government until a central state was reestablished in 2012. Since then, leaders have been elected through indirect clan-based power-sharing.

3 million, according to lawmaker Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu. Opposition leaders formed a coalition called the Somali Future Council. Direct municipal elections have already been held in Mogadishu and South West State.

Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said government forces targeted their homes during the clashes. “Mohamud has directed a sustained and indiscriminate military assault with the apparent objective of killing me, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, dozens of respected traditional elders, and other political leaders in Mogadishu,” Khaire wrote on X.