Thursday December 5, 2024
Bulldozer demolishing structures in Mogadishu's Kalluunka neighborhood as part of a controversial government eviction effort, leaving families displaced and sparking public debate over land reclamation policies. CREDIT / Dalsan Radio
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government has evicted dozens of families from Mogadishu’s Kalluunka neighbourhood, a once-prized Soviet-era housing project, leaving residents grappling with uncertainty and no clear path to resettlement.
For many of the displaced families, the government’s decision feels abrupt and harsh. “We have nowhere to go,” lamented one resident, adding that no provisions for alternative housing were offered, leaving families to fend for themselves.
Established in the late 1970s, the Kalluunka neighbourhood was built to house Soviet advisors assisting Somalia’s Coastal Development Project, symbolizing the era’s international alliances. After diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union deteriorated, the homes were reassigned to Fisheries Ministry employees, marking a new chapter in their storied history.
Government officials have defended the evictions as a necessary step to reclaim state-owned lands, citing legal ownership. However, critics, including former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, argue the process is rushed and neglects the displaced families’ right to resettlement. “Housing is a fundamental right,” Sheikh Sharif stated, urging the government to prioritize humane relocation efforts.
The evictions have polarized public opinion. Supporters see the move as necessary to reclaim state lands for development, arguing that residents benefited from decades of free housing. Critics, however, accuse the government of failing to offer humane solutions, calling for a more compassionate approach to resettlement.
The Kalluunka evictions are part of a more extensive government campaign to reclaim public lands across Somalia. The strategy has sparked nationwide debates about the trade-off between urban development and social welfare. Critics warn that without proper safeguards, such policies risk deepening societal inequalities.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service