03/01/2026
Data Collection: Seizure of Public Property in Jigjiga
The seizure of public property and community land in Jigjiga has begun shamelessly.
Public assets and land intended for the community have been transferred to private individuals, who have used them for their own personal benefit.
The seized land includes both open spaces and buildings intended for public services.
Some of the land and offices that were seized include:
Parts of the city administration of Jigjiga, allocated to private individuals, some of whom set up businesses and rented out parts of the buildings.
The city water agency, handed over to a member of the local O’Day traditional group, with offices relocated to rented properties.
The education and commerce offices, transferred to private individuals while the offices themselves remained in rented buildings.
The justice office and the youth employment office, originally intended to create job opportunities, were taken and handed to close relatives of the O’Day traditional group.
Public land across all four sub-districts of Jigjiga, intended for municipal administration, was seized and distributed along ethnic lines.
The post and telecommunications office in Jigjiga was temporarily seized after the commerce office was removed.
The youth centre at Kililka Albaabiisa was claimed under a false investment name.
The Oil Libya 2 (Agip) fuel station, previously government-owned, was sold and transferred to a private individual.
Taxes and Citizens’ Daily Life:
The Somali regional government is directly exploiting citizens’ land while imposing excessive taxes. Amid conflict, famine, insecurity, unemployment, high cost of living, and lack of public services, citizens are being heavily burdened with taxes, which is completely unreasonable.
For example, a house in Addis Ababa may be taxed 25,000 Birr per year, while in Jigjiga, municipal taxes can reach 40,000 Birr—even if the property is not used for business. For commercial properties, taxes can rise to 300,000 Birr, yet citizens still receive minimal services.
Conclusion:
Life under these conditions cannot be described as dignified or fair.
