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Somaliland forcibly evicts hundreds of families for planned airport

July 22, 2012 · 3253230 Comments2012-07-22+07%3A01%3A31Hassan+Ali

BURAO — Hundreds of families in Somaliland’s second largest city of Burao were left displaced, as authorities began to demolish their homes this week to build an airport.

The minister of aviation, Mohamud Hashi Abdi visited the central town on Saturday to formally launch the first stage of the construction project. The minister was accompanied by members of parliament, deputy ministers, local administration of Togdheer region and hundreds of police personnel.

His arrival prompted the local authorities to begin demolishing hundreds of shops and homes near the country’s oldest airport premises. People have been building homes in the area unimpeded since the collapse of Somalia’s central government two decades ago.

The police led by the British financed SPU and RRU forcibly evicted hundreds of families with many not knowing where to go.

The residents told local reporters that they were given short notifications ordering them to leave the area within days. Those who did not have the chance or money to even relocate their kiosks and makeshift homes saw their properties get bulldozed by the local administration.

Many have called on President Ahmed Silanyo to intervene saying they were been uprooted without being provided with adequate alternative housing or even land to settle.

Under international law the government is required to provide some support and decent resettlement plan for the families affected by this eviction. The evicted families have been offered no compensation or other form of assistance thus far.

While many residents welcome the rehabilitation of the country’s oldest airport built by the British in 1940s, many expressed concern about the homeless families.

“We are robbed of our livelihood and we have no where to go. We are not against the project but the local administration does not care about the poor and most vulnerable,” one resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, told media.

Others requested urgent assistance as many will tonight sleep under the open sky with no food or shelter. They called on the government in Hargeisa to provide them with land to relocate and an emergency aid. They said their situation was desperate and it was not clear who will use an airport when many families have no place to even sleep.

This is not the first time people were forcibly evicted in Somaliland with short or without prior notifications.

The aviation minister has promised to improved airports in the country with works already underway in Berbera and Hargeisa despite controversial tender deal over Hargeisa’s airport.

Mohamud Hashi Abdi awarded China Hono Group (CHG), a Chinese mineral explorer, a contract worth $4,436,000 four months ago to upgrade Egal International Airport despite lacking construction experience and equipment (see China Hono Group brings some equipment after a month for Egal Airport).

Somalilandpress

July 22, 2012

Follow @somalilandpress

By Hassan Ali

Tags: Burao Airport, Eviction, RRU, Somaliland News, SPU, Togdheer

Abdikhadar says:

The government should be relocating residents and giving them enough notice before eviction, this sort of treatment is in in acceptable to somaliland citizen, surely the government should be safe guarding their citizens instead of neglecting them in this manner.

3:33 am on July 22, 2012

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Ilyaas says:

Allahuma ini sayim, i don't want to throw up. This is a real power misuse.

3:35 am on July 22, 2012

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- carraaf says:
  
  Ilyas
  
  Ana Sayim too brother but you are advocating lawlessnees. Be careful what you wish for.
  
  7:36 am on July 22, 2012
  
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Kayse says:

They not really building an airport, they only displacing these people so they can claim illegal money from donors like Kuwait. Nothing will change even after they kicked all these people out. Same old tribalistic Council.

It is also unacceptable that British tax payers' money is used this manner to displace people when the SPU was for visiting dignitaries while RRU should be tactical team to respond to protesters.

I do not see any protesters nor visiting dignitaries in the videos. The British government must take action immediately.

3:44 am on July 22, 2012

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- kaboon says:
  
  it is also unacceptable that 'british tax payers' is being used to feed people like you through welfare and benefits. why don't you get of your @rse and leave your computer and work for your self instead of hating on rich !ss@qs . sad faqash
  
  6:51 am on July 22, 2012
  
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  - Kayse says:
    
    You crack me up son, if Isaaqs, including me were rich they would help Silanyo relocate from Morgan's 1980ish home :) so not sure what wealth your talking about when they can't even take out the trash. Just look at the above video and where they calling an airport moahahahaha, all I see is trash.
    
    Just the truth son, here is your candy and don't worry its not from the trash mohahahaha.
    
    Must be the grandson of ailing warlord Silaanyo.
    
    7:01 am on July 22, 2012
    
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    - Jamal says:
      
      Kayse I am really surprised of your comments against Somaliland can you tell us what have they done to you? because you're so much touched about every thing that Somaliland does and if you have the diseases that is called Somaliland And I really promise you that l have the medicine and can cure you once and for all.
      
      7:21 am on July 22, 2012
      
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    - fadal says:
      
      @kayse.
      The problem with some poeple use This forum is if They don’t hear or write what They want Than automatically your faqash. is**ks are very emotion commotion folks no wonder putting Them self’s self impose isolation.
      
      9:01 am on July 22, 2012
      
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      - xidig says:
        
        you are a dispicable dar00d moster. dar00ds are the the leeches of the somali people.
        
        3:55 pm on July 22, 2012
F.A. says:

OKe This is really unacceptable and it disgust me really. Why on earth would you treat your own people let alone they are your brothers and sisters in Islam? Why?! I am disgusted by this so much. This is the month of Ramadan for heavens sake. We need to help our poor people and not treat them like they are Evil and destroy their homes and shops without giving them other alternatieves. This is not the way our profet (peace be upon him) told us to treat people. Shame on you Silanyo and all the involved people on this. This is a disgrace to humans, Muslims and Somalis.

And this is coming from a Somalilander.

I am really pissed of by this. And i will seek for more info on this!

4:02 am on July 22, 2012

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troll hunter says:

Kayse Kayse, no life no wife just a computer….

4:02 am on July 22, 2012

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- kaboon says:
  
  true. just 12 hours a day searching rich somalis and then finding out they are issaqs then hating them on somali website…….. he is an insult to the human race
  
  6:45 am on July 22, 2012
  
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- kaboon says:
  
  true kayse spends 12 hours a day searching up rich somalis on google then finds out they are !ss@q and then insults them on somali sites. what and insult to humanity
  
  6:47 am on July 22, 2012
  
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  - khaatumo citizen says:
    
    I don't know which planet you from but here in our planet there's something called 'Phones' you can use it anytime anywhere u don't have to sit on computer in order to write a comment.
    
    plus why u alot on Kayse's case just coz he happens to be Iss@@q and doesn't support the Council in eastern Burco, thats how people used treat me when I supported somaliland back in the days when Riyaale was the president, they thought I was traitor and spy, but I wasn't .. give it a rest, people change, political changes and life goes on.
    
    4:00 pm on July 22, 2012
    
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Farah Caleen says:

Is it true that Burao airport will be under construction will Hargeisa airport is closed, or the matter another diversion for Burao people to be eagers for the construction of an non existing airport.

7:05 am on July 22, 2012

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Kayse says:

If you call that trash an aiport then the one in Buhoodle is definitely an international space station. Some of these people crack me up displacing people over some barren land full of trash saying some British spat on it centuries ago. How ridiculous!

Dhulka ilahay wuu weyn yahaye oroodo mel kale qashiinka ku urursadaa, I don't see any airport and they say Burco is more clean than Hargeisa. So imagine Hargeisa's Burj Qashin towers.

7:10 am on July 22, 2012

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- jaaburi says:
  
  kkkkkk, kayse.it looks some folks not want to hear The truth.
  
  8:35 am on July 22, 2012
  
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carraaf says:

Well Done to the Minister. Public land should not just be taken over like that. Buaro Airport was international airport with twice weekly first BOAC and then Al-Yemda airlines and of course Somali airlines in the 60s and 70s before the jealous Faqash regime slowly destroyed it and shut it down like they destroyed everything that worked or prestigious in Somaliland. It must be rebuilt. We also need an Airport in our eastern cities of Las Anod and Erigavo. If Buhotle could have one too that is great too.

Go Somaliland!

7:35 am on July 22, 2012

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carraaf says:

Walaahay inanynu gun guni dhashay nahay. Waa maxay Cali Mareexaan? websityo kale waxaan ku arkaa dad lagu caayeyo Gaani ama morgan. Weligaa Hawiye/Daarood koofureed oo soo hadal qaaday qof isaaqa maqli maysid. Gun baynnu nahay.

7:41 am on July 22, 2012

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- Kayse says:
  
  Isaaqi qabyalaad ba gogoosay walaal, qashiinki way iska qadi kari laayahin lakin when it comes to qabyalad they can reach the international space station with wings they borrowed from some invisible Unicorn ruunti dee inar hahahaha.
  
  Ali Marehan is ur MP while Morgan is the son in law of Silanyo…Gaani is Hersi Gaab's secret name.
  
  Magacyaadu wa cadi oo aduunka dhan magacyoo way wadagan and naga dhaf dee ninyahoo.
  
  21 years of qabyalad and qashin is all I see in Somaliland. Wax kale ma arkoo mala you guys are wearing some eye contacts nimanyahoo sidi Geeli habar gidir (okiyalaan u xira nooh).
  
  7:47 am on July 22, 2012
  
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  - fadal says:
    
    Kayse,Your right is**ks most of Them have chronic syndrome tribesim including me.kkkk,kayse habar gidir don’t have camels anymore They use put now all of Them are bandits.
    
    9:19 am on July 22, 2012
    
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Warqabe says:

This is a good news to hear and I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the Minister and to all other people who have taken part in rescuing the land of Burao Airport back from these greedy land grabbers. Everybody knows well that the area has been the national airport of Burao since 1920.

The land grabbing of the airport started sometime in 2000 when the former patriotic Mayor, Mohamed Hussein was ousted for his nationalism and his outstanding reputation of being non-corrupted human being.

Besides, I hail from Burao and I'm sure that many of the land grabbers are either my close or distant relatives but I don't shed crocodile's tears for such illegal activities. Of course, the national and public interests must always come first than anything else.

Contrary to what had occurred in New Hargeisa few months ago when Kayse-Nacas and his conspirators attacked the Military garrison there and as a result of that many innocent people lost their lives, Burcaawis have shown a great civility and as they always being reasonable people and the nationalists of our great land and this is a good example when the dispute over the airport land has finally settled peacefully and without fear of any future claims or troubles at all.

8:06 am on July 22, 2012

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- Colly says:
  
  My friend you are missing the point, I have family who also hail from Burco.
  
  The fact of the matter is that yes, the government were right to retake the land for the use of the extended Airport.
  
  However, they should have done it in a more humane way, where are these people meant to go (who are mostly elderly women and children). At least provide them with temporary housing until they get back on their feet or cottage industries to work in.
  
  Instead they used oppression they kicked these people out and have given them nothing in return, that is what is most sick, where are they meant to go? And all of this during Ramdaan.
  
  This is no comparison to the New Hargeisa story, those people were thugs and attacked with weaponry civillians and the army, these people are elderly women and children who are poor and have nowhere to go.
  
  The rights of our civillians however rich or poor need to be respected.
  
  I must say, today I am ashamed of the Silanyo Administration and its handling of this affair.
  
  11:34 am on July 22, 2012
  
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  - Warqabe says:
    
    Colly,
    I can understand your point sir but the reality on the ground is completely different than what have been reported by the media.
    
    Firstly, there is no shortage of land in Burao and these land grabbers can find some places to settle down.
    
    Secondly, everybody was well aware that the place has always been the city's only airport but due to the corruption and weakness of the Local and Regional government officials, some selfish businessmen have indirectly instigated these land grabbers to take the law of the land in their own hands by taking over the airport so that they could eventually buy the lands from the them very cheaply.
    
    Thirdly, for the last two years there has been numerous meetings and discussions between the concerned ministries and the local people over the status of the airport and the illegal grabbing of its land.
    
    Finally, it was concluded that existing airport will be rehabilitated and the illegal settlers were given notice to move out. However, the settlers didn't move because they wanted to stay in order to ask compensation for vacating the airport. So the whole story is "ku qabso ku qadi meyside".
    
    2:16 pm on July 22, 2012
    
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khaatumo citizen says:

poor residents they deserve better, not mention it's Ramadan where are they gona go? if that was my house I'd be like don't pull the Qaldan on me, waa habarta odayga wax loo saar so what if its built by the British colonizers. the land is big go and find some other place..

10:29 am on July 22, 2012

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- abdul says:
  
  heheheehe habarta odayga wax loo saar waa iga qoslisay. horta ma somalilander baadtay mise kuwan khaatumo seeg isku magacaabay
  
  9:04 pm on July 22, 2012
  
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osman5 says:

The article is misleading the public by calling the government move an eviction it should be more like expropriation. As the minister of aviation has identified in his statement the disputed land used to be an old airport of which was designated a government property in the 1920's. Thus, if the settlers are questioning as to why a compensation wasn't offered, may be they should discus that with the mayor of Burao for further clarifications.

For Kayse idiot, you sounded that you have nothing to say but hate and negativity. The trash you see in the video is no matter to those folks, at least they're proud citizens and are not count on handouts from a welfare office. Perhaps, you're living well up kept neighborhood where the taxpayers money is always in action without your contribution.

Osman Qaal

12:33 pm on July 22, 2012

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keith omondi says:

Kayse the educator, please preach on brother.

2:51 pm on July 22, 2012

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Kayse says:

I can't believe you guys are arguing over a criminal behavior by a self proclaimed government that is not recognized by anybody not even the Council in Jigjiga.

Let the poor people keep their houses and stalls. I do not see anything worth calling an airport why do you have to call an empty barren land, an airport just because once a British colonial officer used to land his ww1 scrap metals.

Things have changed since then my people. You can't call a desert used to land ww1 bombers an airport in today's modern society.

My advise for the "minister" is to find a new land because this supposed "airport" has no fence, tower, terminals, runway, etc, thus I do not see what qualifies this land as an airport and why its different from all the other empty places full of garbage.

Sheeko kale radsaada and stop using poor people as a ticket for donors to release more funds or "fundraising from the Diaspora".

My advise to the Diaspora Somalis is not to donate a penny until these people have homes like you, I, your family and normal humans.

Airport that no one is going to use is not worth displacing families for. It is not worth having beggars in Burao.

7:23 pm on July 22, 2012

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- k'naan says:
  
  It is clear as you mention They want more donors to fund This fake project. if can’t find any donors probably will sell This land to developers.
  
  Evicting citizen own land without relocation compensation in any language it is not acceptable.
  
  12:38 am on July 23, 2012
  
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