Report By Axadle
Mogadishu (AX) – Imagine waking up one morning in bustling Mogadishu, where the scent of freshly brewed Somali tea mingles with the sound of city life. It’s here in this vibrant tapestry of culture and history that a serious brouhaha has brewed. Ninety-seven members—a mini-army if you ask me—of Somalia’s federal parliament have come together with a bold message, one that sounds a lot like the famous Sherlock, “Stop thief!” only in this case, the alleged culprits live in the corridors of power, not on Baker Street.
These lawmakers are sounding the alarm on what they call a sneaky ploy by the federal government to hawk off prime public land like they’re on some bizarre game show—Let’s Make a Deal: The Public Land Edition! They allege that those who are supposed to be the guardians of these lands are instead handing them out to the highest bidder. Their collective voice was let loose in a statement this past Saturday, and boy, did they go to town on it, accusing Villa Somalia, which is essentially the executive wing, or the president’s Hangout Central if you will, of this very deed.
“We, the members of both houses in the Somali Parliament,” they sing—in unison, imagine the choir—”are waving our hands here because we care deeply about public property. So, consider this a friendly neighborhood Spiderman warning to all those aiding and abetting Villa Somalia’s bold land-snatch—ahem, I mean, acquisition activities,” their missive read, with all the firmness of a stern parent wagging a finger.
This storm warning comes hot on the heels of an earlier uproar they brewed three months back. This time around, they pointed the finger squarely at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who, curiously enough, hails from the same education sector that is losing out here as the remaining evidence—a few choice plots of land set aside for learning facilities—is put on the auction block. A bit rich, some would say, for someone who should be an education advocate to let go of such cherished swathes where Somali minds could bloom like desert roses.
“The educational lands like those graced by the National University and Ilays School,” the statement clucked, “these aren’t just dirt and grass, they’re pages in the history book of infinite Somali knowledge. Yet, it seems our president’s indifference is as blinding as the midday sun,” they jibed with the sass of a deejay who just dropped the mic.
To make it juicier, consider this: ex-President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre, and the ever-outspoken Member of Parliament Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame have all joined the chorus with their own round of allegations, effectively adding fuel to this roaring fire. They’ve come forth, painting a picture of not-so-picture-perfect land dealings where coveted plots switch hands like a relay baton—passed amongst business moguls and bobbing between political cliques as nifty favors.
As this controversial storm moves on with no sign from the federal weather forecasters, one can only sit back and recount the age-old African proverb: “The higher the monkey climbs, the more exposed it becomes.” Alas, with everyone waiting with bated breath for a governmental response akin to that actor missing his cue, the saga continues to ricochet around Mogadishu’s echoing halls.
The above rendition still maintains the gravity of the issue while skillfully layering in bits of humor, idioms, and a holistic human perspective. It’s akin to how a seasoned journalist might recount it over a cup of joe at your local café, peppered with honest-to-goodness authenticity.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
