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Dhalha condemns arrest of innocent residents amid land dispute triggers detension in Mogadishu

Storyline:National News

The vice chairman of parliamentary foreign committee, Mohamed Omar Dalha has expressed concern over the arrest of innocent residents who claimed ownership of houses which occupied by alleged settlers

Vicious powerful people and officials have been choking public and private land since the fall Somali government early 1990.

Millions of Somalis were displaced when the civil war broke out leaving behind all their belongings only to fall into the hands of various groups, most of whom being devious people who permanently settled and some internally displaced whose occupation was temporary.

Two decades later, Mogadishu is seeing considerable stability and development attracting back huge influx from within and outside Somalia but for many Somalis whose land and properties are occupied, the fight for justice preoccupies their role in the country’s recovery.

Many people returned to the city to claim their houses, but were caught in a life threatening battle between the owners and those alleged settlers. Some died in the process and others end up behind bars after trying to sue against powerful people or government officials.

While the police are involved in case eviction is needed, government officials using the offices for promoting nepotism are on standby to defend the irregular or forged documents by these criminals. Some of the cases have been known to drag in court for years in order to wear out the rightful owners.

In some cases, unfortunately, some senior government officials are alleged to be among the notorious people who have forcefully occupied people’s households.

Dalha Tuesday acknowledged the existence of powerful individuals that were involving the arrest of  land owners claimed.

“There is a high demand of any resource and the supply does not meet the demand, opportunist individuals and officials are bound to come up and those who get such resources are the highest bidders. This is the war that I’m fighting,” he said

He added “These people should be must be dealt with regardless of their position or standing in society.”

He pointed out that the authorities unfortunately turn their energy to the vulnerable people and those who had no power put them behind bars without charge.

There have been numerous allegations of corruption regarding the disposition of land disputes with claims of fake title deeds finding way into the official system.

November last year, governor of Benadir region Yusuf Jima’ale ordered the regional authority on land to put on hold filing and adjudication of land disputes until further notice.

The governor, who also doubles up as the Mogadishu mayor said the move was aimed at putting to order land issues in the city which have spiraled over time as land value in Mogadishu has gone up significantly.

The governor’s decision could also be seen as a move to get the situation right and build an effective system even as he puts his new administration in order.

Mogadishu is experiencing construction boom and land value has significantly shot up and investors locally and from abroad are struggling to get a piece leading to rise of speculators and land brokers.

By: Ahmed Mohamed Adan