By Shire Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan Africa) – Himilo Qaran, led by former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, has denied that the weapons displayed by Banadir Police were owned by or seized from the party’s premises.
The party’s Secretary-General, MP Yusuf Hussein Ahmed Gama’diid, told a press briefing on Saturday evening that the arms showcased by the police were not linked to Sharif Sheikh Ahmed or the party’s offices.
Gama’diid accused Banadir Police Commissioner Mahdi Omar Muumin, also known as “Macallin Mahdi,” of presenting weapons collected from multiple residences and falsely attributing them to the former president.
“We know the weapons’ origins and how they were gathered, and anyone listening to my statement can trace and verify it,” Gama’diid said.
He further explained that the seized arms had come from homes of various politicians and officials, and were consolidated in a single location to create the impression that they belonged to Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
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“When we were returning home yesterday afternoon, we brought all our weapons with us as they were; no person or firearm was left behind,” he added.
Gama’diid also alleged that recent attacks in Howlwadaag and Cabdicasiis targeted opposition sites where peaceful demonstrations were being organized, accusing the federal government of using military force to suppress dissent.
The clashes lasted two days and resulted in casualties among civilians and security forces. The statement follows the police presentation of weapons they claimed were confiscated from opposition locations amid political tensions and skirmishes in Mogadishu.
In recent days, both the federal government and opposition politicians have blamed each other for instigating the clashes that escalated in the capital.