Squatters Begin to Vacate Mogadishu National Fairgrounds Ahead of Deadline

[Deeq A.]

A squatter at the National Fairgrounds in Mogadishu loads his belongings onto a donkey cart.

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — With a few days remaining before the 5 February ultimatum for vacating the National Fairgrounds in Hodan, South Mogadishu, squatters living there have begun packing up their belongings. One month ago, the Banadir Police evicted more than 300 families who had been living on plots of land that housed the Taleh Hotel Suites.

The Federal Government of Somalia is seeking to reclaim government properties that were illegally occupied since 1991.” I don’t want my hut to be bulldozed by the government. That is why I have moved out of the National Fairgrounds” said a father of three children, who claimed he is “a tenant, not the owner of a plot of land.”

The squatters are predominantly tenants who pay rent to self-styled landlords who tookover major government properties in Mogadishu 34 years ago.

The Federal Government of Somalia has faced criticism for what detractors describe as shady business deals with companies that purchased government properties previously occupied by squatter tenants.

“Forced evictions are considered violations of human rights, leaving those affected, including women, elderly people, and children, without shelter. The government, which bears the responsibility of protecting its citizens, is accountable for their suffering,” tweeted Abdirahman Abdishakur, an MP and former presidential candidate.

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