Opposition Postpones February 26 Anti-Government Rally in Mogadishu

Opposition politicians have called off the anti-government protest that was due in Mogadishu on February 26.

On Thursday, the Council of Presidential Candidates’ Union announced that it would not be holding the rally on Friday as initially scheduled.

This announcement followed the decision by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to express regret over last week’s deadly skirmishes in the city.

The rally by opposition candidates on February 19 turned chaotic after government troops dispersed opposition politicians and supporters.

At the time, the politicians and their supporters were on their way to the Unknown Soldier’s Monument in the nation’s capital when they were violently dispersed.

Furthermore, the government also announced the formation of a committee mandated to look into the incident.

Nevertheless, opposition intends to hold a new rally 10 days later.

The postponement of the rally puts to rest fears of a fresh round of deadly protests and heavy-handed response by the government.

Earlier this week, the government had banned all large gatherings citing the resurgence of COVID-19 cases.