Mogadishu Mayor Warns Against Illegal Land Seizures in Bakara Market

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Mogadishu’s Mayor and Governor of the Banadir Region, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, made an unannounced visit to Bakara Market on Monday, following complaints from traders over attempted land grabs by unidentified individuals.

The visit came amid growing unease among business owners in the capital’s largest commercial hub, who say they’ve faced threats of eviction from people claiming ownership of public land. The mayor, addressing the traders directly, said no such claims are legitimate and warned against any attempt to displace vendors.

“I’m here on the instruction of the President,” Muungaab said, referring to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. “No one has the authority to evict you. This land is municipal property, and no eviction order has been issued.”

City officials say they are investigating individuals suspected of forging documents to justify illegal land takeovers in Bakara and other major markets, including Suuq Bacaad and Xamar Weyne.

Muungaab vowed swift action against those involved, urging them to “fear God and stop what they’re doing.”

He was accompanied by senior officials, including Mohamed Ahmed Diriye, Deputy Governor for Security and Politics; Nur Hussein Hassan, Director of Markets; and Howlwadaag District Commissioner Bashir Abdi Mohamed.

Land disputes remain a persistent challenge in Mogadishu, where informal settlements and market stalls often occupy contested spaces. Bakara Market, a key driver of the city’s economy, has been particularly vulnerable to such tensions as Mogadishu undergoes reconstruction and urban expansion.