Clashes Erupt Between Troops and Gunmen in Mogadishu.

 Sunday, November 01, 2020. Additional information is emerging from a shootout at Dabka intersection in Mogadishu, which caused casualties, after clashes between Somali government forces and gunmen.

The clashes erupted after gunmen dismounted from a motorcycle and opened fire on security forces, and the two sides exchanged gunfire causing casualties. The government forces killed at least two people and injured another, according to witnesses. One of the attackers was pronounced dead and the others were taken to hospital.

Additional security forces also arrived at the scene, arresting a number of people, mostly youths. There was no immediate word from government security officials on the incident.

Mogadishu has recently witnessed a spate of attacks, bombings, and assassinations, some of which have been claimed by Alshabab, targeting peace activists, intellectuals, elders and scholars.

In recent months, terrorist groups have carried out consecutive terrorist attacks in Mogadishu and surrounding areas. The last peacemaker was killed on the outskirts of Mogadishu last week. There were also attacks on Somali military bases. Although these all claimed by terrorist groups, yet no action was taken by the government to prevent the problem.

There are fears that the election schedule has been delayed due to security concerns. The government is responsible for the security of the people but unfortunately it is busy paying for the elected parliamentarians and embezzling public funds.

Meanwhile, the speaker of Somalia's upper house of parliament, AbdiHashiAbdullahi, said the Somali government has no right to appoint a committee to oversee the election of representatives from the northern regions to both houses of parliament.

In a statement issued by the chairman, he said the Somali government was trying to appoint the commission in consultation with northern politicians but made it clear that such a move would damage the electoral process.

The speaker of the upper house said the federal government has no right to appoint the electoral commission itself, and the chairman indicated that in the 2016 election the process will be followed.

Conflicts over the election are already looming. Farmajo's attempt to hijack the election has caused concern among various national institutions.