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MOGADISHU – The Somali Non-State Actors Association (SONSA) has called on the Somali authorities to intervene urgently over what it described as forced evictions affecting a number of families in the capital, Mogadishu, urging an independent and transparent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations and ensure that affected families are protected from any eviction measures outside legal frameworks. The association stressed the importance of addressing such cases through the competent institutions in a manner that safeguards the rights of all parties and allows disputes to be handled without practices that could further worsen the situation of affected families.
SONSA stressed that disputes involving land and housing ownership should be addressed through legal channels and relevant institutions, rather than through the use of force or influence to settle disagreements. It said families who claim to have been subjected to eviction need legal safeguards that enable them to approach the relevant authorities, present their claims and documents, and defend their rights. The association called for clear, fair and transparent procedures for considering and resolving property disputes in accordance with the law.
The association called for an independent investigation into allegations involving land seizures, abuse of authority and violations reportedly affecting civilians, stressing that the investigation should be professional and transparent and capable of clarifying the circumstances of the incidents and establishing legal responsibility where violations are proven. SONSA said an independent investigation should not be limited to determining responsibility, but could also contribute to strengthening accountability and public confidence in institutions and reducing the possibility of similar practices recurring in the future.
SONSA noted that property disputes in Mogadishu can, in some cases, involve complexities arising from competing claims and overlapping documents and rights relating to land and housing. It said this makes stronger legal procedures and institutional capacity essential for reaching more stable settlements. The association called for more effective mechanisms for receiving complaints, reviewing documents and considering disputes, as well as stronger capacity among institutions responsible for land and housing matters to address disagreements through institutional processes and reduce their impact on family security and community stability.
SONSA renewed its call for the protection of residents and the rule of law to be prioritised when addressing property disputes, stressing that reaching fair and transparent solutions requires cooperation among government institutions, legal authorities and civil society organisations. It emphasised the importance of reliable legal channels for investigating and resolving disputes, helping protect affected people and reduce unlawful evictions, while also addressing the underlying causes of disputes rather than focusing solely on their consequences after harm has occurred.
Land and housing issues are among the sensitive matters in the capital, Mogadishu, amid complexities involving ownership, competing claims and overlapping legal, social and security dimensions related to land use. In this context, effective institutions capable of documenting ownership, receiving complaints and resolving disputes through clear and impartial procedures are important to protecting the rights of all parties and strengthening public confidence in institutions and the rule of law. Independent investigations into allegations of forced eviction or land seizure can also provide a means of clarifying facts and establishing responsibility where violations are proven, while supporting the development of more sustainable institutional mechanisms to reduce recurring disputes and protect affected families and communities.
