Former Presidents Condemn Mogadishu Evictions as Hundreds of Families Are Reportedly Displaced

Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s former presidents Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed have strongly condemned the forced displacement of residents in Mogadishu’s Tookiyo neighborhood, describing the destruction of homes and removal of families as a deeply troubling abuse of state power.

Their statements came after government security forces reportedly carried out an early-morning operation in Tookiyo, Yaqshiid district, forcing residents from their homes and demolishing properties amid a long-running dispute over land ownership.

Farmaajo, in a statement issued Sunday evening, described the continued displacement of residents and what he called the unchecked seizure of land in the capital as a serious national tragedy. He condemned the reported demolition of homes occupied by children, women, elderly people and vulnerable families, saying such actions were incompatible with basic human dignity and compassion.

Farmaajo called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to immediately halt what he described as the forced displacement of civilians and the misuse of government institutions and security forces against citizens. “There can be no justification for forcibly removing Somali citizens from their homes in the darkness of night and destroying their property in front of them while using national forces,” Farmaajo said.