MOGADISHU, Somalia — Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused the government of forcibly evicting families to sell state-owned land to businesspeople.
Sharif said since last year, the government has displaced thousands in Mogadishu to facilitate controversial land sales, ignoring growing Al-Shabab threats.
“The government’s focus on land sales undermines security,” Sharif said. “The country is slipping to Al-Shabab while the army falls apart.”
Many security personnel have seen their families forcibly removed from homes on public land, raising questions about soldiers’ loyalty to the government, he said.
Sharif called the land sales unconstitutional, accusing business figures of exploiting state resources and causing widespread displacement among vulnerable families.
His remarks came amid rising concerns over Somalia’s security as Al-Shabab stepped up attacks and government is struggling with governance and displacement challenges.