Gunfire has erupted across Mogadishu as Somalia's political crisis over delayed elections spirals into open conflict. Witnesses report sustained exchanges of heavy weapons near the airport and key government buildings, with at least 10 civilians injured. The violence comes after months of deadlock between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmajo, and regional leaders who accuse him of clinging to power.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a statement urging all parties to 'cease hostilities and return to dialogue'. For Somalis, this is a brutal reminder of a fragile state teetering on the edge. The price of bread has doubled in the past week as shops shutter.
The real economy here is one of survival, not politics. A father of five told me: 'We are tired of bullets. We need peace so our children can eat.
' The UK's words mean little if they are not backed by action to protect civilians and ensure a fair vote. This is a crisis of leadership, not of the people.
