By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, May 8, 2026 Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo questioned the federal government’s newly announced housing plan for families affected by demolitions in Mogadishu, saying the move reflected growing public pressure over recent evictions.
In a statement posted on social media on Friday, Farmaajo said the government’s decision to announce new housing projects came amid increasing criticism and anger over demolitions carried out in the capital.
“The government’s statement that it will build houses for a small number of families displaced in recent years is an indication that the government is responding to public pressure and public anger,” Farmaajo said.
The former president also questioned whether the housing project had previously existed within government planning or budget frameworks, linking the issue to broader concerns over displacement and urban redevelopment.
His comments came after Somalia’s Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing announced plans to build 12,000 homes in the Jazeera area on the outskirts of Mogadishu.
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The ministry said the first phase of the project would include 6,000 homes intended for families who had lived for decades on government-owned land, roads and sports grounds.
Government officials have said recent demolitions form part of wider urban redevelopment and city planning efforts aimed at restoring public land and improving infrastructure and services in the capital.
The issue has drawn criticism from opposition groups and residents affected by the demolitions, with opposition politicians calling for protests in Mogadishu on May 10.
The Benadir regional administration on Thursday announced a temporary suspension of some demolition operations following complaints from residents.