Speaking in Mogadishu on Wednesday, former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the hardships facing residents, particularly those forced from their homes, cannot be ignored.

The planned protest coincides with a high-level political meeting scheduled for the same day, after President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud invited the Somali Future Council for talks on key national issues, including the constitution and the electoral process, both of which remain sources of dispute between the government and opposition.

The announcement comes amid escalating political tensions, with opposition groups outlining broader plans aimed at reshaping the country’s political direction, while the federal government continues efforts to advance dialogue and finalize an electoral framework.

The dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of widespread demolitions, forced evictions and redevelopment projects in Mogadishu over the past two years. Critics, including opposition figures and civil society groups, accuse authorities of bypassing due process and failing to provide adequate compensation or legal justification.

Federal and Banadir regional authorities have defended the measures, saying they are necessary to reclaim public land and improve urban planning. However, disputes over land ownership and the legality of evictions have intensified, adding to political and legal tensions in the capital.