By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Somalia (Dawan Africa) – Somali opposition lawmaker Yusuf Hussein Ahmed said protesters were prevented from reaching Koonis Stadium on Sunday, accusing the government of violating an agreement reached through mediation efforts aimed at avoiding unrest in Mogadishu.
Gamadiid said security forces blocked several roads leading to the stadium using armored vehicles, stones and military trucks, while a number of people attempting to join the demonstration were arrested.
“You can see that the entire road has been blocked with armored vehicles and security forces,” he said.
The opposition had earlier agreed to limit the protest to Koonis Stadium after negotiations involving traditional elders, civil society figures and government representatives, according to opposition officials.
Gamadiid said the opposition accepted the arrangement in an effort to prevent disorder and reduce tensions in the capital, but accused authorities of failing to honor the agreement.
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He said discussions continued until Sunday morning over crowd management and access to the venue, but protesters were later prevented from entering the area.
“The promise made by the mediators they sent was false,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Mogadishu linked to opposition protests and disputes over Somalia’s political and electoral process.
The Banadir Regional Administration had previously said the demonstration could proceed at a designated location if conducted peacefully, a position the opposition later accepted following mediation efforts.