By Zamzam Daqarre - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 13 October 2026 Somalia's Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Tuesday that Mogadishu could not become a gathering place for armed militias, accusing opposition politicians of organising groups to undermine security in the capital.
Speaking at the Somalia Disaster Resilience Conference, jointly organised by the Somali Disaster Management Agency and Mogadishu University, Fiqi said the government was responsible for maintaining national security and would not tolerate attempts to prevent security institutions from carrying out their duties in areas where armed groups were present.
He said government forces had removed 260 armed men from a location in Mogadishu, alleging they were being prepared to disrupt security.
“We removed 260 armed young men. We will present the evidence. We are not lying, and God is our witness,” Fiqi said.
Fiqi also accused some opposition politicians of involvement in weapons stockpiling and militia mobilisation, claiming armed groups had been sent to Mogadishu from some federal member states.
He further alleged activities involving foreign financing had taken place, although he did not present evidence during his remarks.
Related articles
The minister rejected allegations that the government was planning attacks against opposition politicians, saying security forces had previously escorted politicians to their homes.
“If the government had wanted to kill them, if it had wanted to attack them, it already had the opportunity,” he said.
Fiqi warned against assembling armed militias in areas containing hotels, commercial establishments and buildings financed by private investors, saying such activities threatened the city's security and economy.
He warned against a return to conflict conditions Mogadishu experienced in 1992 and 1993.
The minister called on religious scholars and the Somali public to support efforts to prevent conflict and security disturbances.
He said government security institutions had the right to enter locations suspected of being used to stockpile weapons, adding there could be no areas where security forces were prohibited from operating.