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Former Somali Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments Omar Ali Rooble has accused federal government forces of violently seizing his family home in Mogadishu, claiming the action was part of a politically driven land grab involving senior officials. In a public statement released on Tuesday, Rooble said the attack took place late Monday night and involved armed soldiers, military vehicles and demolition equipment.
According to Rooble, the forces arrived at his residence in a convoy of nine vehicles carrying armed personnel and trucks used for demolitions. He said the soldiers immediately began tearing down his house without presenting any legal documents or court orders. Rooble described the scene as chaotic and frightening, saying his family was caught off guard as the demolition started from one side of the house and continued across the property.
Rooble said he confronted the soldiers and demanded an explanation, insisting that the land legally belongs to his family. He claimed to hold valid ownership documents but said the officers ignored them and informed him that the land was being taken regardless. He added that the operation appeared well-coordinated and involved both military police and regular army units, raising serious concerns about the use of state security forces in what he described as a private land dispute.
The former minister said this was not the first time his property had been targeted. He stated that three of his properties have now been demolished under similar circumstances, all without judicial approval. Rooble argued that these repeated actions point to a broader pattern of abuse rather than an isolated incident, and accused authorities of deliberately bypassing the legal system.
In his statement, Rooble made direct accusations against President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alleging that the land seizure was motivated by both political and financial interests. He claimed that a sitting member of parliament, Mohamed Ibrahim Ali, widely known as Mohamed Cajib, personally led the operation at his home. Rooble further alleged that the lawmaker told him the land had been purchased from the president at a price of $65,000 per plot, with the total value of the land amounting to roughly $1 million.
Rooble did not provide documents or other evidence to support these claims. By Tuesday, the federal government, the presidency and security agencies had not issued any official response, and requests for comment had gone unanswered. Authorities had also not confirmed whether the operation at Rooble’s residence was an official government action or addressed the allegations of wrongdoing.
Land disputes remain a major source of tension in Mogadishu, where years of conflict, weak or disputed land records and rapid urban expansion have created fertile ground for ownership battles. Many residents accuse powerful individuals of using influence and security forces to seize valuable land, particularly in areas targeted for development. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that forced evictions carried out without court orders violate basic rights, destabilize communities and deepen public mistrust in state institutions.
Rooble appealed to Somalia’s bicameral parliament, the judiciary, human rights bodies, religious leaders and the wider public to intervene. He urged them to stop what he described as the growing use of state power to dispossess civilians and silence political opponents. He warned that unchecked land grabbing and forced displacement could fuel further grievances and undermine efforts to restore the rule of law in the capital.
As of Tuesday, Rooble said his family remained shaken by the incident, while federal authorities had yet to clarify their position or respond to the serious allegations raised against senior government figures.