New York, June 5, 2026 — The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has raised concern over a fresh outbreak of violence in Somalia following reports of heavy gunfire in central Mogadishu.
The concern was conveyed in a statement released on Thursday in New York by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
According to reports, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire alleged that government forces targeted him shortly before scheduled protests.
Guterres emphasized the importance of immediate dialogue among all parties, urging efforts to maintain Somalia’s recent gains while safeguarding civilians and critical infrastructure.
He appealed to all sides to show restraint, avoid actions that could worsen tensions, and resolve political disputes through peaceful engagement.
The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) noted that it, alongside international partners, had repeatedly cautioned against a possible repeat of the 2021 political standoff linked to disagreements over the electoral process.
The mission said those warnings were not fully heeded and called on Somali leaders to put national interest first and resume stalled talks that ended on May 15.
It also affirmed that international partners remain willing to support and facilitate renewed negotiations.