Looks like a hinge in middle, you can see the rivet that is the axle of it. Likely you remove bottom white end clip ring and then swing the hinge wide to unlock things.

 

See Step 3. Easiest to remove the linkage right at the transmission, instead of trying to undo the clips you're working with. This way the shift cable length also won't be affected as you disassemble and reassemble.

I went through the same thing with my 2009 6spd.

 

Yes, undo the clip and you lose cable adjustment, it then has to be done over. But sometimes that can be what you want.

He shows the correct way.