Land Grabbing and Mismanagement: A Recipe for Economic Disaster for Somalia

Land Grabbing and Mismanagement: A Recipe for Economic Disaster for Somalia

The devastating consequences of land grabbing and mismanagement of public land are increasingly evident in Somali, with corruption experts for many years identifying Somalia as the most corrupt country in the world, and Somalis are increasingly worried and warning of a looming economic and governance crisis if the issue of corruption, in in this case -land- is not addressed urgently.

Land grabbing, the illegal seizure of private land and houses by individuals close to the government such as the President, the Speakers, MPs etc., with the help of corporations, or government entities, has been rampant in the Mogaishu, particularly affecting marginalized communities and unarmed minority communities.

Meanwhile, mismanagement of public land, including corrupt allocation, neglect, and lack of proper planning, has further exacerbated the problem.

As long as the constitutional Anti-Corruption Commission that was dissolved is not immediately reinstated, there is little hope that anything can be done to reduce the current endemic corruption whereby corruption in Somalia has become an integral part of a state’s economic, social and political system, and with no alternatives to deal with corrupt Somali officials.

Examples of current land related corruptions include:
Saybiyano
BangalaHowlaha Guud
Wadada Jayga, near the Airport
Dab-damiska
Inside the Halane compound (inside the airport where international partners and the UN reside)
MCH facility in Hodan district
Argentine Market in Karaan district
Cemetery near School Polizio, next to Halane compound
Oodweyne, part of Dayniile district

Our data gatherers have calculated that in Oodweyne, the Benadir Administration and the Office of the President collected more than $3M in a very short time, by asking all house owners to pay $4500 or see their homes demolished. The illegally gained money never reached the official Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Other landmark icons in Mogdishu such as Hotel Urubo (giving to Abdinasir Ali Adoon), hotel Jubba (giving to Abdulkadir Osoble Ali). Both are tribe wise close to the current president of Somalia, financed his presidential election campaign and gained these prime properties without going through any legal and transparent process. The National Commission for selling national properties (Art. 35 of Law Selling National Properties and Tenders, 12 December 2015) and the Anti Corruption Committee are both not (re)established and played no role in the ongoing looting.

These practices have led to a myriad of negative consequences for the people of Somalia that include:

• Loss of Livelihoods: Land grabbing often displaces poor families in the capital, depriving them of their livelihoods and pushing them further into poverty.
• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): The further increase of IDPs in Mogadishu who are already struggling with the effects of Climate Change.
• Social Unrest: Land grabbing and mismanagement have spark conflicts and social unrest in Mogadishu, as communities fight to protect their land rights and access to resources.
• Economic Instability: The rampant corruption in the land sector discourage investment, hinder economic growth, widening the existing inequality and create an unstable business environment, forcing property owners to see the value of their house going down.

Experts warn that if these issues are not addressed, Somalia faces a dire economic future, with increased poverty and social unrest, that could result in an uprise overthrowing the current Federal Government.

The fight against land grabbing and mismanagement is crucial for the future of Somalia and a capital where people feel safe without fearing government officials taking their land or demolishing their homes, with the backing of the government. It is a fight for economic stability and social justice,