MOGADISHU (SD) – Somalia on Tuesday reiterated ban of public gat street protests ahead of Friday’s planned protests against president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

In a press conference in Mogadishu, Minister for Security Hassan Hundubey Jima’le citing the rise of Covid-19 cases in the country said government decided to bar any street marches.

“Any protests in Mogadishu, whether anti-government or pro-government, are illegal and will not be allowed,” the Minister said.

The move comes barely a day after opposition presidential candidates announced they will hold protests in Mogadishu on Friday to press Farmajo.

Sheikh Sharif , the chairperson of CPC on Monday said they will continue the protests until Farmaajo is kicked out of the office.

“We hereby confirm that protests will take place in Mogadishu. We call on the public to participate in the rally which will take place on Friday at Daljirka-Dahsoon (the monument of the unknown soldier),” he said.

Both the government and the opposition were on Monday evening urged to ease the situation by UN Security Council Members.

The council called for dialogue to resolve differences over electoral process.