Mogadishu — A series of police-led evictions targeting squatters on the public land in the Somali capital has sparked widespread concern about corruption and abuse of power among government officials.
This handling of the matter has brought to light the apaque nature of the allocation and management of public land in Somalia, uncovering a systematic pattern wherein influential individuals and government figures exploit their positions for personal enrichment without legal justification.
Following the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, which plunged the country into a state of civil unrest, the absence of transparency in the public land allocation process has enabled those in positions of power, exploiting the prevailing lawlessness to unjustly seize valuable plots, thereby excluding impoverished communities and intensifying socioeconomic inequalities.
According to observers, such actions not only undermine the public’s trust in their government but also perpetuate a cycle of corruption that hinders the nation’s development and progress.
The recent evictions have left affected squatters feeling unsettled, as they have been uprooted without adequate alternatives or compensation.
The government has marked public lands in the quiet Odweyne neighborhood in the Deynile district, west of Mogadishu, as one of the areas slated for auction. Residents of this community are now preparing themselves for the looming threat of forced evictions.
The responsibility for the Oodweyne land’s appropriation has been assigned to a Banadir Administration Official, who is both a Federal Member of Parliament and a prominent entrepreneur. Each plot within this scheme costs $4,500.
The government also intends to sell off additional public land located in Milk Factory, Pasta Factory and other public properties owned by various Ministries. These parcels of land are set to be allocated to individuals who are both close allies of the president and relatives of influential businessmen.
To the surprise of the public, the vast expanse of land, spanning hundreds of hectares, was ultimately sold to private individuals, contradicting the government’s initial claims of its intended use for public services, thus prompting skepticism regarding the government’s true motives and the validity of their earlier explanations.
In the face of these dubious forced evictions, many families are complaining over the injustice at hand, emphasizing that they had peacefully resided on the land for years without encountering any legal disputes or receiving prior warnings.
This incident sheds light on the systemic land grabs that continue to plague Mogadishu, revealing disconcerting levels of impunity that persist in the city.
With vulnerable communities now forcibly displaced, deprived of their homes and livelihoods, while those in positions of authority profit from resources that rightfully belong to the public, the pervasive presence of corruption exacerbates the crisis.
Reports of officials accepting bribes and willfully ignoring the plight of the evicted squatters perpetuate a destructive cycle of exploitation, hindering the pursuit of justice and efforts to provide assistance to those most affected.
Adding to the crisis surrounding public land, individuals suspected to be government officials have allegedly ordered the demolition and excavation of the revered Maalin Nur Cemetery, located just outside the Somali capital.
The order was purportedly made with the intention of selling the land to private individuals and transforming it into a residential neighborhood. The incident, which saw labourers unearthing of bones and skeletons of the long-deceased, has shocked and appalled many in Mogadishu.
Despite a visit by Yusuf Hussien Jimale, the Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Benadir region, to the Cemetery and his assurances to the worried families, it is clear that this gesture merely amounts to empty words.
The wanton destruction of these graves, widely regarded as sacred and previously untouched by the land rush in Somalia, represents a flagrant violation of their rights, with the affected families of the deceased whose bones have been dug out are left in a state of despair and uncertainty, struggling to come to terms with the profound desecration.
Civil Society Organizations and activists have voiced their opposition to these evictions, demanding accountability from government officials and a fair and equitable system for land allocation. They assert that sustainable solutions should be pursued, such as comprehensive land reform policies and inclusive decision-making processes that prioritize the needs of the population.
EXPERTS WEIGH IN
Amid the ongoing crisis resulting from forced evictions, experts are emphasizing the urgent need for the government to take immediate action in order to improve transparency and accountability in the land management and allocation processes, with the aim of addressing the prevailing problems.
They further advocate for the establishment of independent oversight bodies that can effectively monitor the use of public land and the implementation of robust legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of vulnerable communities.
As the affected residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of this distressing ordeal, concerns are growing regarding the authorities’ accountability and commitment to upholding principles of justice and human rights.
The inherent purpose of public land is to be held in trust by the government or other public institutions, specifically designated for the construction of vital public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, conservation efforts and other essential projects. However, the illegal acquisition of public land by individuals and private companies has resulted in the displacement of communities and the loss of invaluable public assets.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s first term has been marred by allegations of corruption and instances of land grabbing. His government’s failure to safeguard public lands, such as the large tract near the Airport and the land owned by the Custodial Corps at KM7, serve as glaring examples of his inability to fulfill this responsibility.
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