In a strongly worded joint statement, three former Somali presidents have condemned what they describe as the unlawful seizure and sale of public land in Mogadishu, following a deadly government eviction operation that sparked armed clashes in the capital.
The statement, signed by former Presidents Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, comes just days after violent confrontations broke out in the Tarabuunka area of Mogadishu on Thursday, August 14. Eyewitnesses and local sources say the violence began when federal government forces attempted to forcibly evict residents from homes in the Horseed neighborhood of Hodan district, prompting resistance from armed men believed to be Somali National Army (SNA) personnel whose families were among those targeted.
Government troops, supported by security vehicles and equipped with both light and heavy weaponry, reportedly entered the area with the aim of clearing land stretching toward African Village. However, the operation quickly escalated into hours of gunfire after residents and armed defenders pushed back.
Footage shared on social media showed burning tires and angry protesters denouncing the evictions, while families were seen fleeing amid heavy weapons fire. Several civilians were reported dead or injured, though the government has yet to release an official statement or casualty figures. Residents accused authorities of carrying out evictions without due process, legal justification, or provision of alternative housing.
In the wake of the violence, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism against the government, delivering a sharp rebuke of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
“I strongly condemn the attack carried out today by the government on the poor families living in the field of the Horseed Group of the Armed Forces in the Hodan district. I pray to God to have mercy on the deceased, and I offer my condolences to the injured,” Khaire said.
“It is unfortunate that the National Army, which was trained to protect the public, is being used today by President Hassan Sheikh to kill civilians and displace the poor. I once again call on President Hassan Sheikh to immediately stop the looting of public land, the massacre of civilians, and the displacement of the poor.”
The former presidents also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured, calling the events a tragic consequence of a broader pattern of land mismanagement and abuse of public resources.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during operations linked to the misuse of public land in Mogadishu. May Allah have mercy on the deceased and grant recovery to the injured,” their statement read.
They cited several constitutional and legal provisions they say have been violated, including Articles 25, 26, and 43 of the Provisional Constitution; Articles 50 and 51 of the Public Financial Management Act; and Articles 6 and 22 of Land Distribution Law No. 41. These laws collectively mandate public oversight, transparency, and fairness in the management of public land and prohibit its disposal without legal justification and public disclosure.
The statement emphasized that any removal of land from the public register must adhere to specific legal and ethical standards. Every citizen must have the right to live in a healthy, safe environment that supports their well-being and quality of life. The government must demonstrate, through public documentation, that the sale or reallocation of public land is absolutely necessary and unavoidable.
They added, “Any transaction involving public land must be overseen by the National Revenue Authority to ensure accountability and transparency. Furthermore, information about land sales must be publicly announced, published in the government’s official gazette, and displayed in accessible public spaces to ensure transparency and allow citizens to be informed.”
Access to land and the benefits derived from natural resources must be distributed equitably among the population, without favoritism or exploitation. Land must also be used in a way that aligns with sustainable development principles, ensuring that the environment is not harmed in the process.
The former presidents emphasized the importance of resolving land-related disputes through lawful means and ensuring that land market activities are regulated to protect small landowners from exploitation or displacement. Additionally, they stressed that all revenues generated from the sale of public land must be deposited directly into the government’s central treasury, where it can be transparently managed for the benefit of all citizens.
“It is deeply unfortunate that these constitutional safeguards have been ignored, and public land is being dealt with in clear violation of the law,” the former presidents said.
They issued a direct appeal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, urging him to take immediate corrective actions. First, they called on him to end the misuse of public land and stop the oppression of poor and vulnerable communities, whom he had sworn to protect. Second, they demanded that the displaced families be provided with resettlement options that respect their constitutional right to housing. Third, they urged that all misappropriated public land be returned to government control, and any future transactions involving such land be conducted strictly within the legal framework.
The joint statement also included a stern warning to Somali businesspeople and members of the public. The former presidents cautioned them not to be lured into buying public land that belongs to the Somali people as a whole. They called on the public to stand united against corruption and the plundering of national resources, and to remain vigilant in exercising their constitutional rights.
“Do not be misled into purchasing land that belongs to the Somali people. Stand against corruption and the looting of national assets, knowing that your constitutional rights are protected by law.”
The violent eviction in Tarabuunka has fueled growing concerns about internal divisions within Somali security forces, particularly the apparent involvement of SNA soldiers in defending their families from government-led evictions. Analysts say the incident highlights the risks of conducting urban resettlement operations without proper legal frameworks or social protections, especially in a post-conflict city still grappling with land tenure disputes and displacement.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also disapproved of a decree issued by former President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, a widely respected leader, who had previously relocated residents occupying government land. This land included sites of national importance such as Tarabuunka, the venue for state celebrations, the former ruling party headquarters, and the national television premises. Abdiqasim compensated those displaced by allocating them alternative plots of land and formalized the arrangement through presidential decrees. However, President Hassan Sheikh later declared those decrees invalid and proceeded to evict the residents, a move that angered former President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan.