MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – In the heart of Somalia, Mogadishu is grappling with a pervasive crisis: the forced evictions and looting of public lands orchestrated by president Hassan Sheikh government.
The capital city, which houses the remnants of the former Somali government’s public properties and lands, has become a battleground for avaricious government officials and businessmen with close ties to the ruling regime.
Minorities and vulnerable communities bear the brunt of this ruthless land-grabbing spree, orchestrated by political cadres and wealthy elites aligned with the current government.
Despite pleas from the affected families, their cries for justice seem to fall on deaf ears. The perpetrators, shielded by their perceived control over the administrative system, continue their blatant violations of the rights of the most vulnerable in the capital.
The dire situation came to light when Sahal Dahir Cigaal, a member of the Madhibaan clan, and his family faced near-robbery of their property in July 2023. Kaab TV’s visit to Sahal’s family revealed the extent of their plight, with the Banadir Regional Court authorizing powerful politicians to seize their property while Sahal languished in Mogadishu Central Prison.
Media coverage played a crucial role in canceling the eviction, leading to Sahal’s release. Despite this, he lives in constant fear, aware that land-grabbers could strike again at any moment.
Sahal is not an isolated case; hundreds of families in Mogadishu share a similar fate, victims of the government’s eviction policies.
Beyond the looting of public property, powerful figures within the government exploit government land for personal gain, either renting it out or selling it for profit.
Former military camps, factories, schools, and public university buildings have all fallen prey to these activities, all conducted under the guise of legal procedures.
Recent events in the Wadajir district paint a grim picture of the government’s callous approach.
Families living in the firefight camp received eviction notices as public land was allegedly earmarked for private individuals. Refusing to comply, the residents faced police raids, with utilities cut off to make their lives unbearable.
Undeterred, they took to the streets, staging protests, blocking roads, and even burning tires. Only through the intervention of parliament members was their eviction postponed, holding those responsible accountable.
Despite these alarming developments, both the Banadir Regional Government and the Somali government, wielding significant power in Mogadishu, have failed to prevent or stop the evictions of vulnerable families.
Furthermore, there is a conspicuous lack of transparency regarding the government’s involvement in selling public land to private individuals for personal gain.
The Banadir Regional Government’s silent complicity raises questions about its commitment to justice, especially when powerful figures implicated are entrenched within Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s system.
However, the plight of Mogadishu’s residents hangs in the balance as the struggle for justice continues amidst a landscape of forced evictions and unchecked corruption.