Mogadishu, Somalia – Tensions are rising in Siliga Towfiiq, Yaqshiid district, where dozens of families have staged protests against what they describe as systematic land grabs by powerful business interests. Residents accuse individuals of fraudulently selling off their homes and plots of land, leaving many households without shelter.
Community elders and affected families report that the disputed lands were originally state-owned, allocated decades ago to government workers and vulnerable citizens. In recent months, however, residents say they have been forcibly evicted under the pretext of ownership transfers, with some families forced to live in makeshift shelters after their homes were demolished.
The protesters marched through the neighborhood with placards, calling on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to intervene. They are demanding urgent government action to halt the evictions, investigate the alleged illegal sales, and restore their rights to the contested lands.
Forced evictions from state-owned properties are not new in Mogadishu.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about vulnerable families being displaced without due legal process, particularly in rapidly urbanizing districts where land values have sharply increased.
For the affected residents of Siliga Towfiiq, the situation has become dire. Many families with children are currently living in overcrowded conditions with relatives, while others have no alternative but to stay in temporary roadside shelters.
Community leaders warn that unless the government intervenes decisively, the dispute could escalate into wider unrest, further straining the fragile social fabric in Mogadishu.