MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – In a bombshell joint statement, three former presidents of Somalia have accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of seizing public lands and warned of dire consequences if the practice continues.
The former leaders — Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo — called for all illegally grabbed land to be returned to the state.
“First and foremost, we extend our condolences to the families and relatives of those killed during the ongoing land appropriation operations in Mogadishu. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives, and may He grant recovery to those injured,” the statement read, referring to recent clashes in Tarabuunka neighborhood of Hodan district.
The former presidents cited Articles 25, 26, and 43 of the Provisional Constitution, Articles 50 and 51 of the Public Financial Management Law, and Articles 6 and 22 of the Land Distribution Law (Law No. 41).
These provisions, they said, require strict procedures whenever public land is removed from state records, including:
- Guaranteeing every citizen’s right to live in a safe environment that does not endanger health or livelihood.
- Demonstrating that the land being sold is no longer required for public use, with a clear justification.
- Oversight by the National Asset Management Authority.
- Publication in the Official Gazette and display in public gathering places.
- Equal access to land and its resources.
- Sustainable land use without environmental harm.
- Lawful resolution of land and property disputes.
- Regulation of land markets to protect small landowners.
- Deposit of all land-sale revenues into the State Treasury.
- “It is deeply regrettable that these legal requirements — mandated by the country’s constitution and laws — have been completely disregarded, and the Provisional Constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia has been blatantly violated,” the statement added.
The former presidents demanded that Hassan Sheikh Mohamud must:
Stop the misappropriation of public assets and the abuse of power at the expense of the poor and vulnerable citizens he swore to serve.
Ensure resettlement of displaced families, who have a constitutional right to housing.
Return all unlawfully seized land to government control, and when necessary, follow legal procedures for its disposal.
Finally, the three leaders cautioned Somali businesspeople and the wider public not to be deceived into acquiring land that belongs collectively to the nation.
They urged citizens to stand together against corruption and the plundering of national resources, reminding them of their constitutional power to hold leaders accountable.