MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali government’s large-scale campaign to evict squatters from public lands has triggered significant unrest and discontent among affected communities, as allegations mount that the evictions are being carried out to make way for wealthy property developers.
Residents report that they have been forcibly removed from their homes under the pretext of building public institutions, only to later discover that the lands have been sold to private investors.
This perceived betrayal has left many families displaced and distraught, prompting those still occupying public lands to resist eviction notices.
That has led some communities facing eviction threats take up arms to defend their homes, an escalation that has forced the government to slow down its eviction plans amid fears of violence and potential armed conflict.
The affected communities have warned the government that any further attempts at evicting them will lead to resistance and potentially deadly clashes. For many, the prospect of losing their homes and livelihoods is unacceptable, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the sale of the lands.
One resident, Ahmed Ali described the fear and uncertainty experienced by families facing eviction.
“We are being forced out of our homes with nowhere else to go,” the resident said. “The government claims they are building public institutions and hospitals, but then they sell the lands to rich individuals. Very unfair.”
PRIVATE DEALS
The sale of public lands in Somalia has reached a crisis point in recent months, as wealthy developers, and businessmen, often with ties to the country’s top political leaders, and senior officials continue to purchase large swathes of public land, including military bases and public institutions.
This widespread practice has raised concerns about corruption and the erosion of public trust in the government’s ability to protect public assets.
Recent investigations reveal a disturbing pattern of land transactions facilitated by bribes and manipulation. Developers target strategic locations such as military bases, and other public institutions for commercial projects, displacing communities and weakening national security.
This trend has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about the long-term implications for the country’s stability and governance.
Local sources suggest that the land acquisitions are often facilitated by corrupt practices, with officials allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating land transfers, leading to a significant loss of trust in the government’s ability to protect public assets and uphold the rule of law.
The Somali government has yet to offer a clear response to the allegations of selling public lands to private developers. Instead, officials have focused on emphasizing the need for evictions of squatters from public lands for the development of public infrastructure. However, these statements have done little to assuage the concerns of those facing eviction.
Many including families facing eviction threats are calling for greater transparency in land transactions and the protection of vulnerable communities from displacement.
“We’ve lived on this land for generations. It’s our home, our livelihood, and our history. The government wants to take it away without any real reason other than profit. It’s not right, and we won’t let it happen.” — says Amina, a resident facing eviction in Mogadishu.
“The government’s promises mean nothing when they leave us with nowhere to go. We need answers and protections, not more empty words.” — said Mohamed Abdi, another resident who is defying eviction notices. “Our children are scared, and so are we. We’re staying in our homes, even if it means risking our lives. We have nothing left to lose.” — Fatima, a mother facing eviction in Mogadishu.
Meanwhile, experts are raising alarms over the lack of transparency in Somalia’s evictions and land sales, calling on the government to prioritize the rights and welfare of its citizens over the interests of private developers.
“The lack of transparency in these evictions and land sales is deeply concerning,” said Dr. Hassan Abdullahi, a political analyst based in Mogadishu. “The government must prioritize the rights and welfare of its citizens over the interests of private developers.”
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