Land disputes spark political clashes in city of Mogadishu

Ugandan Amisom soldiers patrol near the site of a suicide blast targeting their convoy in Mogadishu, Somalia, on November 11, 2021.

Photo credit: Reuters

Mogadishu’s traditional violence has often been the result of extremist groups. But last week, parts of the city were shaken by armed clashes in the Hodan district, a suburb where land squabbles date back four decades ago.

This time, the violence was triggered by a dispute over public land, breaking nearly two years of calm under tight security controls.