MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a significant political statement, former Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, and Member of Parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have jointly cautioned business leaders and individuals against the illicit acquisition of public land in Mogadishu.
They have accused the federal government of displacing residents and appropriating lands used for schools and hospitals. They allege that public properties are being auctioned to business magnates, gifted to private families, or used as bribes by corrupt officials.
“We warn businessmen who illegally sell or acquire public land, and those involved in bribery, not to be deceived into believing they own or control government land,” the statement said.
The trio also raised concerns about broader governance issues, including security, economic instability, and political unrest, urgently pressing the government to address these challenges.
The Somali government has recently reclaimed public lands for development purposes, but there are allegations that some of these lands have been leased or transferred to private companies. A recent example is the demolition of the School Policia cemetery to make way for a new naval base, which has stirred public outcry.
This statement from former high-ranking officials highlights the contentious issues of land rights and governance in Somalia, a country still recovering from decades of civil strife and engaged in state-building efforts.
