Somali capital gunfire amid election protests

MOGADISHU - Heavy gunfire broke out in Somalia’s capital yesterday as opposition leaders defied a ban on public gatherings to protest about delayed elections.

The president’s term expired last week, without the selection of a successor, throwing Somalia into a crisis.

Overnight, the government said militiamen attacked army positions in Mogadishu, close to the presidential palace.

Most roads in the city have been closed and special forces deployed.

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as “Farmajo,” is expected to hold a meeting with Somalia’s five regional presidents as part of efforts to end the deadlock.

The UN has said it is

“deeply concerned” by the clashes in Somalia between the opposition and security forces. It has called for “calm and restraint by all parties involved” and urged for dialogue.

In Algeria, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Thursday announced the dissolution of the lower house of parliament and called early legislative elections.

“I decided to dissolve the assembly and call elections to build a new institution,” he said, without giving a date for the elections.

The current lawmakers of the lower house had been elected for five years in May 2017, with Bouteflika’s allies having an overwhelming majority.

Tebboune said the dissolution decision was part of reforms after amendments to the constitution in November last year aimed at giving parliament more powers. – BBC/REUTERS.