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Somalia’s opposition blasts government for corrupt land sales to elites

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders on Saturday issued a stark warning to businesspeople involved in the rapid and troubling auctioning of public land by authorities, cautioning that, in a frantic rush to secure funds before the end of its term, the government is recklessly liquidating state assets. They stressed that such transactions will never confer legitimate ownership of public property. “The auctioning of public land is advancing at an increasingly alarming pace, with the displacement of the impoverished becoming an undeniable reality. Land designated for educational and healthcare institutions is being ruthlessly seized, while the majority of land is being auctioned off to commercial interests, some allocated to privileged families, and the remainder undermined by political corruption,” opposition leaders—including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and Wadajir Party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur—said in a statement. “Therefore, we strongly caution traders engaged in the illegal acquisition of public land, as well as those who have obtained such land—whether through the abuse of past privileges or corrupt practices—not to be misled into assuming legitimate ownership or appropriating state assets. They must fully understand the grave consequences of their actions.” Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed office in 2022, he has overseen the sale of numerous public land parcels, including health centers, government agency headquarters, security force camps, and other critical properties once designated for public use by the government of the late President Mohamed Siad Barre, which collapsed in 1991. Opposition leaders have previously accused President Mohamud of funneling the proceeds from the illicit auctioning of public land into his personal pocket, rather than depositing them in the state bank—an action many view as an attempt to enrich himself and his close associates before the end of his term. His previous administration, which became synonymous with corruption from 2012 to 2016, illegally auctioned off numerous state properties to wealthy businessmen; now, with nearly all public land sold, many are questioning what remains for the state to function and deliver essential public services. Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com

admin January 5, 2025 2 min read

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders on Saturday issued a stark warning to businesspeople involved in the rapid and troubling auctioning of public land by authorities, cautioning that, in a frantic rush to secure funds before the end of its term, the government is recklessly liquidating state assets. They stressed that such transactions will never confer legitimate ownership of public property.

“The auctioning of public land is advancing at an increasingly alarming pace, with the displacement of the impoverished becoming an undeniable reality. Land designated for educational and healthcare institutions is being ruthlessly seized, while the majority of land is being auctioned off to commercial interests, some allocated to privileged families, and the remainder undermined by political corruption,” opposition leaders—including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, and Wadajir Party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur—said in a statement.

“Therefore, we strongly caution traders engaged in the illegal acquisition of public land, as well as those who have obtained such land—whether through the abuse of past privileges or corrupt practices—not to be misled into assuming legitimate ownership or appropriating state assets. They must fully understand the grave consequences of their actions.”

Since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud assumed office in 2022, he has overseen the sale of numerous public land parcels, including health centers, government agency headquarters, security force camps, and other critical properties once designated for public use by the government of the late President Mohamed Siad Barre, which collapsed in 1991.

Opposition leaders have previously accused President Mohamud of funneling the proceeds from the illicit auctioning of public land into his personal pocket, rather than depositing them in the state bank—an action many view as an attempt to enrich himself and his close associates before the end of his term. His previous administration, which became synonymous with corruption from 2012 to 2016, illegally auctioned off numerous state properties to wealthy businessmen; now, with nearly all public land sold, many are questioning what remains for the state to function and deliver essential public services.