Public land evictions in Mogadishu resulted in four deaths this month as security forces yet again take sides in Somalia President Hassan Mohamud’s plan to sell land to the highest bidders.
Somali security forces evicted residents from two plots of public land, Horseed and Tarabuunka, which led to clashes with other military units that came to the residents’ defence, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, primarily civilians.
A subsequent government press release claimed that the security forces successfully contained ‘militias’ threatening the area’s security, implying that these were the forces they battled, but the so-called militias were uniformed troops.
Clashes near Tarabuunka
Former prime minister Hassan Ali Kheyre held a news conference in Mogadishu, noting the discrepancy.
“We are deeply saddened that President [Hassan Sheikh] Mohamud deployed the army – trained to protect citizens – to use force against vulnerable individuals, leading to their displacement from settlements and even resulting in fatalities,” he said.
The incident drew widespread condemnation against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is accused of selling public land without following proper procedures.
“The alarming clashes near Tarabuunka reflect deeper governance failures, where due process was ignored and land grabbing has become routine under President Mohamud’s administration,” says Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad, executive director of the Institute for Horn of Africa Strategic Studies.
“Open fighting between the military and police over public land… not only endangers civilians but also exposes the erosion of the rule of law. Unless accountability and proper land administration are restored, Somalia risks even worse instability and violent power struggles,” he tells The Africa Report.
Three former Somali presidents, Abdulkasim Salad Hassan, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed issued a joint statement highlighting his involvement in land sales, emphasising that such actions were not aligned with the duties for which he was elected.
“One of the reasons our central government collapsed was a lack of transparency and rampant corruption. The president’s involvement in current land manipulations will only erode public trust in the regime,” he said.
The alarming clashes near Tarabuunka reflect deeper governance failures, where due process was ignored and land grabbing has become routine under President Mohamud’s administration.
Attempts to reach the president’s office for comment on these allegations were unsuccessful, as they were unavailable for response.
However, deputy information minister Abdurahman Yusuf, who participated in a talk show with government officials and MPs opposing President Mohamud, defended the government’s actions.
He claimed that the funds received from selling or leasing public land were used to purchase helicopters, military equipment and to pay government and military salaries.
In contrast, MP Abdirashid Hidig criticised Yusuf’s comments, calling them a “white lie” intended to distract the public from the blatant corruption taking place.
Evictions in the capital
In early 2024, the Somali government began evicting people occupying public land. The initial target was internally displaced people (IDP) living in government-owned compounds. These IDPs had sought refuge after fleeing their homes due to conflict and recurring drought. The situation worsened in the early months of 2025 and is escalating, largely concentrated in Mogadishu.
Following the collapse of the central government in Somalia, public land, including government facilities, was occupied by ordinary people seeking shelter. Most of these individuals were displaced from their former settlements.
As the state began rebuilding institutions that were based in Mogadishu, illegal occupants were ordered to vacate, with many complying. However, a number of public properties still occupied by IDPs remained untouched by the government.
Property tycoons, allied to senior government officials, started expressing interest in owning these plots.
Somali private developer land grabbing
During his first term in office, President Mohamud began leasing and selling public land, justifying the transactions.
At the time, human rights activists condemned the act as blatant land grabbing. Mohamud lost the 2016 elections, and a new regime abandoned the initiative, asserting that it had stopped the sale of public property.
After being reelected in 2022, Mohamud sought to demonstrate that his government was free from corruption. He accused and brought to court various government officials, including directors, for alleged involvement in corruption and embezzlement, some of whom subsequently fled the country.
I was threatened by the security forces involved in the demolition in my neighbourhood after I refused to vacate my house
However, the president has returned to the practice of selling off land, disregarding owners with title deeds, as well as displacing those who were initially allowed to occupy the government land.
Among the notable plots in Mogadishu that have been forcibly appropriated are the former zoology centre, the firefighting centre and several other prime sites still occupied by IDPs.
Displaced people protest
The people whose plots were taken have been protesting regularly, but their complaints have gone unheard.
The evictions have intensified, particularly in residential areas. Residents have presented their deeds to demonstrate ownership of the land, yet security forces have demolished homes in densely populated areas like Zone-Key, forcing residents to pay money or face demolition.
Yusuf Mahadalle, whose plot was demolished despite having valid deeds, said no one respected his proof of ownership.
A group of residents spoke to The Africa Report in Mogadishu about their plight. Group representative Mohamed Farah accuses senior government officials of complicity in the appropriation of their land.
“The government is exploiting its own citizens by undermining their rights rather than protecting them,” says Farah.
He added that if the situation persists, it could potentially lead to another civil conflict.
Nadifo Abdullahi Geddi, a mother of five, whose home has been partially demolished, says security forces have menaced the community.
“I was threatened by the security forces involved in the demolition in my neighborhood after I refused to vacate my house,” she says.
The government is exploiting its own citizens by undermining their rights rather than protecting them
The Coalition of Somalia Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) in Mogadishu tells The Africa Report that it has proof of government malfeasance.
“We have documented cases where substantial tracts of public land have been sold to wealthy tycoons with the complicity of senior government officials, including the president,” says CSHRD programme manager Zakariye Yusuf Abdirahman.
“The evicted lands encompass both public property and deeded lands, leaving the rightful owners helpless,” he adds.
A few months ago, the president made a sarcastic remark about the ongoing corruption allegations during a gathering. He said: “The Somali mother doesn’t care whether I own a high-rise building or a small one; that’s not her business.”
