Somalia (Dawan Africa), 4 June 2026 – The United Nations and Somalia’s international and regional partners have issued a series of coordinated calls for restraint and political dialogue following armed clashes in Mogadishu that have heightened tensions in the capital.
The United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) warned against a repeat of the electoral roadmap crisis that affected the country in 2021, urging all sides to cease hostilities, avoid actions that endanger civilians, and return to dialogue in the interest of the Somali people.
The mission noted that the United Nations and Somalia’s international partners had repeatedly warned of the risk of a renewed political crisis arising from disputes over the electoral process and called on Somali leaders to resume political talks that have been suspended since May 15.
For its part, the African Union Commission expressed concern over the security situation in Mogadishu and called on all parties to immediately halt fighting, exercise maximum restraint, and protect civilians. The AU also urged Somali stakeholders to resolve their differences through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms, while reaffirming its support for peace and stability efforts through the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The United States described the violence in Mogadishu as “reckless,” stressing that all Somali leaders have a responsibility to preserve stability. The U.S. Embassy warned that decisions taken in the coming hours and days could have long-term consequences for Somalia’s security, unity, and future.
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The United Kingdom also expressed deep concern over the clashes, stating that violence is unacceptable and calling on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully.
Meanwhile, the European Union, through its Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro, urged Somali political leaders to return to dialogue, expressing regret over the casualties caused by the clashes and emphasizing that Somalis need peace, stability, and progress.
At the regional level, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) voiced deep concern over the violence and called on all political actors to exercise restraint, reduce tensions, and seek a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the ongoing disputes.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu stressed that preserving peace, stability, national unity, and the gains made in Somalia’s state-building process remains a top priority, urging all parties to place the interests of the Somali people above all other considerations.
These converging international and regional positions reflect a growing consensus on the need to halt the escalation and return to political dialogue, amid fears that continued tensions could undermine the progress Somalia has achieved in recent years in security, state-building, and political stabilization.