MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has publicly addressed, for the first time, the growing controversy over his administration’s sale of public lands and the eviction of residents in parts of the capital.
Speaking after Friday prayers at the presidential mosque, President Mohamud described the government’s move as part of a broader plan to transform informal settlements into “modern neighborhoods” and eliminate areas that have long served as “hideouts for terror groups.”
“This is not about dispossession; it’s about building a safer, more organized city for all,” the President said, emphasizing that the initiative aims to modernize #Mogadishu and improve security.
The President also issued a warning to opposition presidential candidates, urging them not to “weaponize this issue for political gain.” He called on affected citizens to pursue legal avenues to resolve disputes rather than resorting to politically charged confrontations.
“Our courts and legal institutions are open to everyone,” he noted. “Let’s rely on justice, not politics.”
The government’s recent eviction campaign has sparked public outcry and criticism from opposition figures, who accuse the administration of displacing vulnerable communities without adequate consultation or compensation.
Officials, however, maintain that the move is part of a long-term urban renewal strategy aimed at tackling unregulated settlements and boosting investment in infrastructure across the capital.
