The Somali government has not adequately informed the public about the situation regarding the illegal burial of bodies near the Somali police academy in Mogadishu. The bodies are being exposed due to rainfall, posing a health risk to the residents in the Xamar Jabab neighborhood and its surroundings. Additionally, the area is unsuitable for burials due to its proximity to the seashore and foreign embassy buildings in Xalane. The Banaadir Regional Environmental Agency has been seeking solutions to this issue because of many complaints about exposed bodies, while the Banadir regional administration is looking for a solution. Turkey and Somalia have reached an agreement allowing Turkey to build the Somali navy and invest in the fishing industry for 10 years. The profits from this venture will be used to fund the Somali Navy for using coastal and regional security.
Subsequently, engineers from Somalia and Turkey sought a suitable location for a training center for the Somali navy. The plan includes building a facility for ship manufacturing, training mechanics and technicians, and producing high-speed boats for military use. The engineers were informed of issues at a site near the sea and the airport, which was deemed suitable for the facility. The Banadir Regional Environmental Agency showed the engineers from Somalia and Turkey the location to address the numerous complaints from the local community and foreign embassies in Xalane.
Experts from Somalia and Turkey stated that significant funds would be required to develop the site, as the soil needs to be treated to prevent health risks for future residents. The area must be excavated to a depth of 3 meters, and the soil treated to establish the necessary facilities for the Somali navy. The experts highlighted that the site is logistically advantageous due to its proximity to the airport and seaport in Mogadishu, reducing costs for transporting construction and industrial equipment, and allowing for the establishment of a navy park and a small seaport.
However, when the Banaadir Regional Administration and the Somali government informed those who had illegally buried bodies in the area that they needed to remove them, or the administration would do so, there was political outcry from individuals unaware of the initial complaints from the community. Some groups, ignorant of the environmental issues, spread false claims, creating confusion among the public by alleging that the government intended to sell the land to foreigners and displace the buried Somalis.
Today, the President of Puntland, Said Abdullahi Dani, commented on the issue, seemingly unaware of the local community’s complaints and the foreign embassies in Xalane, but aiming to make a political point without understanding the facts or deliberately misleading the Puntland populace.
Unfortunately, despite the Somali government having detailed information, they have not sufficiently informed the Somali people amidst the misinformation, except for Somali scholars who have stated that the current burial site is inappropriate, and the bodies should be reburied in a more suitable location.
