Awil Haji
In 2010, during the FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa, I sat in a house near Mogadishu Stadium trying to follow the matches on a small television. Outside, the city was under regular bombardment. While the rest of the world enjoyed a global celebration of sport, Mogadishu was caught in conflict and uncertainty. Fifteen years later, that same stadium hosted a friendly football match featuring well-known African players including Jay-Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Adebayor and Samuel Eto’o. For many residents, the event served as a reminder of how much the city has changed and how far it has come since those difficult days.
Between 2007 and 2011, Mogadishu endured one of the most intense periods of violence. Foreign troops, some based in Villa Somalia, the seat of the presidency, were accused of shelling civilian areas during clashes with insurgents. At the same time, Islamist armed groups fighting both the Somali government and international forces conducted targeted attacks and assassinations, including operations that harmed civilians. Caught in the middle, residents suffered from insecurity, displacement, and a lack of essential services.
Public infrastructure collapsed. Hospitals, schools, and markets struggled to function. Mogadishu Stadium, a space once associated with sport and community, was converted into a military base. Many parts of the city became unsafe, and day-to-day life was dominated by fear and survival.
Gradual Signs of Recovery
Over the past decade, however, Mogadishu has seen a degree of recovery. Although significant challenges remain, the city has witnessed improvements in infrastructure, business activity, and public life. Roads have been rebuilt. Small businesses and markets have reopened. The Somali diaspora has played a key role in investment and development. For many residents, life has become more predictable and less dominated by conflict.
The use of Mogadishu Stadium for a public sporting event featuring international athletes was a visible symbol of this progress. While the match was short and largely ceremonial, it captured the aspirations of a city seeking normalcy and engagement with the wider world.
This shift is not only about security, it’s also about confidence. More young people are starting businesses, pursuing education, and engaging in civic life. There is growing interest in long term development, including ambitions to one day host major regional events such as the African Cup of Nations.
Political Tensions Cast a Shadow
Despite these improvements, Somalia continues to face complex political challenges that could undermine recent progress. A key concern is the breakdown of the National Consultative Council (NCC), a platform that once brought together the Federal Government and Federal Member States (FMSs) to coordinate on critical issues such as elections.
Disagreements between the Federal Government and Puntland and Jubaland have led to their withdrawal from the NCC. Meanwhile, other regional leaders including those from Galmudug, South West, Hirshabelle, and SSC Khaatumo have aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud through a new political party. The lack of consensus has raised concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the upcoming electoral process.
If stakeholders fail to agree on the model and timeline for elections, Somalia could face heightened political tensions and potentially a contested or fragmented electoral outcome. That would represent a setback not only for Mogadishu but for national reconciliation efforts as a whole.
Sustaining Fragile Gains
Mogadishu’s progress is tangible, but it remains fragile. The relative stability experienced today cannot be taken for granted. Political leaders must prioritise dialogue, national unity, and inclusive governance to prevent a return to instability.
The city’s residents have shown resilience and determination in the face of hardship. Events like the recent football match show that Mogadishu is capable of moving forward and participating in international cultural and sporting life. But the path ahead depends heavily on national level leadership and the ability to resolve political disputes through consensus, not confrontation.
Mogadishu is no longer a city defined only by conflict. It stands today as a symbol of cautious recovery and unrealised potential, a city that is moving forward but still in need of collective support and wise political choices.
