MOGADISHU (SD) -Security forces from the Federal Government of Somalia deployed heavily across Mogadishu on Friday morning, blocking opposition politicians and supporters from reaching the site of a planned anti-government protest at Koonis Stadium in the Abdiasis district.

Reports indicate that former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and politician Abdirahman Caynte were stopped by government security forces while attempting to travel to the residence of former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre before joining the demonstration.

According to sources, security vehicles blocked the officials on the road and ordered them to return to their homes, preventing them from proceeding to the protest location.

Meanwhile, Yuusuf Gama’diid, a member of the Himilo Qaran political party, accused the government of reversing earlier commitments to allow the gathering to proceed peacefully.

The delegation they sent turned out to be false. People would have moved, but roads are blocked, and even council permissions were denied,” the MP said.

The protest, initially scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m., comes amid rising tensions between the government and opposition groups over issues including alleged forced evictions, political freedoms, and security measures in the capital.

Opposition organizers reportedly spent the previous night mobilizing supporters across different districts in the Banaadir region. However, reports suggest they later altered their plans and decided to gather directly at Koonis Stadium.

The stadium and surrounding areas remain under heavy guard by government troops, while security developments in the city continue to be closely monitored.

The government’s decision to block opposition leaders from reaching the protest site marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political standoff in Somalia. The deployment of security forces across Mogadishu suggests authorities are determined to prevent large-scale demonstrations that could challenge government control or trigger unrest.

For the opposition, the restrictions reinforce accusations that the Federal Government is suppressing political freedoms and limiting the right to peaceful assembly. The involvement of high-profile figures such as Mohamed Hussein Roble and Hassan Ali Kheyre increases the political sensitivity of the confrontation.

At the same time, the government appears concerned that the protests could spiral into instability, especially given the presence of armed security personnel linked to political factions in Mogadishu. Somalia’s recent history of political disputes turning violent makes the situation particularly delicate.

The coming hours are likely to be critical in determining whether tensions can be contained peacefully or whether the confrontation between the government and opposition will deepen further.