MOGADISHU, Somalia — Residents of Mogadishu’s Waberi district took to the streets on Thursday to protest forced evictions and the demolition of homes, accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of involvement in land grabbing.
Protesters told local media that government forces used live ammunition against residents resisting the evictions. One civilian was wounded in the shooting and taken to hospital, according to protesters.
Land disputes and home demolitions have previously triggered clashes in Mogadishu. Opposition politicians have accused the government of unlawfully evicting residents and warned that the practice could worsen the city’s humanitarian and security situation.
Heavy fighting broke out in Mogadishu in May after rival security forces clashed over government plans to demolish homes in the Warlaliska area of Daynile district. The incident highlighted tensions surrounding land ownership and evictions in the capital.
The United Nations has previously warned about forced evictions in Somalia, saying more than 142,000 internally displaced people had been forcibly removed from temporary shelters since the beginning of 2025.
Thursday’s protests come amid allegations that land cleared through evictions is being transferred to private businesses rather than being used for public services.
