MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – A committee selected by thousands of displaced families in Mogadishu, whose lands were allegedly seized by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, met today with opposition leaders in the capital.
Batuulo Mohamed Cosoble, one of the affected residents from Zone-K in Hodan district, said her family land—where her father was born in 1906—was forcibly taken.
She explained that although she presented her ownership documents to the Banadir Regional Court, she was told to instead contact President Hassan Sheikh, who had already sold the land to businessmen.
“I never imagined that, like the Palestinians, we would one day be forced to fight for our land,” Batuulo said. She added that the families are ready to stage protests in Mogadishu’s streets to demand the return of their property.
Hassan Xareed Diini said he lost his small shop in Taleex, Hodan district, when it was demolished, leaving his family without their daily source of income.
“The land taken from me was not used for any public interest, but rather sold to another private individual like myself,” he said, referring to the site of the former National Fairgrounds, which the Hassan Sheikh government sold to Premier Bank—a company accused of being heavily involved in Mogadishu’s forced evictions.
During the meeting, a moment of mourning was observed for seven people (six male and a woman) killed in clashes in the Tarabuunka neighborhood on August 14.
The violence erupted after forces loyal to President Hassan Sheikh attempted to evict residents, sparking armed resistance from local militias and civilians.
The incident triggered fresh displacement of thousands of families as the fighting spread to nearby civilian areas.
WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM?
Questions have since arisen about the vast sums of money being exchanged in these controversial land deals.
MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame said the sources of this money are highly suspicious, suggesting they may be linked to piracy or terrorist networks.
“These are not established businessmen, but rather young men whose sources of wealth are unknown. Did they get the money from piracy, or from Al-Shabaab? Nobody knows,” Abdirahman told the gathering.
Prominent opposition politicians, including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, former Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad, and MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, were among those who met with the displaced families.
“We deeply regret that a government meant to defend its people and country is instead preoccupied with displacing its citizens,” said Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
Opposition leaders warned all parties involved in the rampant land grabs including businesspeople, corrupt judges and police officers that the situation is spiraling out of control, cautioning that the crisis will not stop here if left unchecked.