{"id":20218,"date":"2026-08-24T21:28:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T21:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sooha.org\/en\/?p=20218"},"modified":"2026-08-30T13:33:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T13:33:22","slug":"somali-opposition-criticizes-home-evictions-in-mogadishu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sooha.org\/en\/2026\/08\/24\/somali-opposition-criticizes-home-evictions-in-mogadishu\/","title":{"rendered":"Somali opposition criticizes home evictions in Mogadishu"},"content":{"rendered":"

MOGADISHU \u2013 <\/strong>Political criticism in Somalia has intensified over home evictions and demolitions carried out in parts of the capital, Mogadishu, amid calls from opposition figures to halt measures they said had harmed residents and families and to address disputes over land and housing through legal frameworks and the competent institutions. The developments coincided with a statement by former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Farmaajo), who called for an end to what he described as land seizures and the displacement of residents, warning of the consequences of using government forces and state institutions in such operations.<\/p>\n

Farmaajo said in a statement issued on Sunday, August 23, that what he described as \u201cland seizures\u201d and the displacement of Mogadishu residents constituted a \u201cserious catastrophe,\u201d criticizing demolitions carried out during nighttime hours, particularly when they affect children, women, elderly people and low-income families. He called for residents\u2019 humanitarian and social circumstances to be taken into account when measures concerning their homes and property are taken, stressing that land-related disputes should be addressed in accordance with the law and in a manner that allows rights holders to prove and defend their ownership.<\/p>\n

The former president criticized the use of government forces and institutions in eviction and demolition operations, calling on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to halt what he described as displacement and the unlawful use of state institutions. He said government institutions and national forces should focus on protecting citizens and serving the public interest, stressing the importance of subjecting land-related decisions to clear review and appeal procedures so that disputes can be addressed through the competent legal channels.<\/p>\n

In the same context, opposition figures discussed recent developments related to eviction and demolition operations during a meeting of the Somali Salvation Forum in Mogadishu, focusing on events in the Tokiyo area of Yaqshid District. Participants expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery, while affirming their solidarity with residents who they said had been displaced. The opposition argued that the continuation of evictions in this manner could increase the social and political tensions surrounding the land issue.<\/p>\n

Parliamentarian Abdikadir Asoble said the opposition stood with affected residents, accusing the government of using forces and weapons in demolition and eviction operations. He referred, according to his statements, to the use of aircraft during one of the operations, arguing that dealing with property disputes through military means could increase the likelihood of escalation. He called for land disputes to be addressed through legal means, warning of the humanitarian and social consequences of families losing their homes and property.<\/p>\n

For his part, former Galmudug State President Abdikarim Hussein Guled called on residents of Mogadishu to take action against what he described as injustice, expressing his opposition to the government\u2019s policy on the land issue. Guled said during a press conference that residents of the capital could no longer, in his words, tolerate the measures being implemented by the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arguing that the continuation of evictions and demolitions required a response from residents. His remarks come amid a widening political debate over land administration and mechanisms for resolving property disputes.<\/p>\n

Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, for his part, warned officials, officers and members of government forces involved in demolition operations of the responsibility arising from their actions. Khaire said those involved, as he described them, in what he considered \u201congoing injustice\u201d were known, warning that their roles could be subject to accountability in the future. His position reflects one aspect of the criticism focusing on the responsibility of those carrying out the operations, alongside the debate over the legal basis and procedures governing evictions.<\/p>\n

These positions come as the Banadir Regional Administration seeks to address land complaints through dialogue with religious and community bodies. Banadir Governor and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Mungab) held a meeting with the Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, his deputy and the leadership of the Union of Somali Scholars Councils. The meeting discussed citizens\u2019 complaints and issues concerning private and public land, while the local administration affirmed the priority of protecting private property and its readiness to consider residents\u2019 complaints through specialized committees, alongside affirming the government\u2019s right to manage land of public benefit in accordance with the public interest and while taking the circumstances of poor groups into consideration.<\/p>\n

The land issue remains one of the most sensitive matters in Mogadishu, amid accumulated ownership and tenure disputes, overlapping property claims, urban expansion and the effects of conflict and displacement over previous decades. Recent evictions and demolitions have returned the issue to the forefront of political and community debate, particularly amid differing views over the limits of the state\u2019s authority to regulate public land and guarantee the rights of private property owners. In this context, the importance of clear legal procedures and effective complaint, appeal and mediation mechanisms is increasingly evident, alongside improved property documentation and dispute-resolution systems. Such measures can help protect residents, reduce tensions, prevent property disputes from turning into security confrontations, and strengthen trust between citizens and state institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

MOGADISHU \u2013 Political criticism in Somalia has intensified over home evictions and demolitions carried out in parts of the capital, Mogadishu, amid calls from opposition figures to halt measures they said had harmed residents and families and to address disputes over land and housing through legal frameworks and the competent institutions. The developments coincided with …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-news","category-protection-cluster"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t