In brief
- On 23 August 2016, Somaliland Sun reported that Burao councillor Faliid accused fellow council members of corruptly selling road-reserved land.
- The councillor claimed construction machinery was building a house on a road linking an estate to the central business district.
- The report asked the Ministry of Interior to intervene, but provides no evidence of any subsequent investigation or action.
On 23 August 2016, Somaliland Sun reported that a Burao local councillor, identified as Councillor Faliid, accused fellow council members of corruptly selling public land reserved for a road. The report said the Ministry of Interior had been asked to intervene and stop the selling of public land in Burao town.
Councillor Faliid claimed that construction machinery was building a house on land designated and in use as a road linking an estate to the town's central business district. According to the councillor, the structure was a personally owned building by a business tycoon he named as Omaar. He alleged that members of the local council were behind the sale and subsequent erection of structures, and that only urgent action would save the Toghdeer regional capital from massive land grab.
The Somaliland Sun article noted that corruption allegations within the Toghdeer regional capital local government were not new, but that a disclosure by a council member was rare. It called on the Ministry of Interior to expedite an intervention.
The report does not establish whether any of the councillor's allegations were verified. It provides no documentary evidence such as land titles or council minutes, includes no response from the accused councillors or the council, and names no official investigation. The article gives no information on any subsequent action by the Ministry of Interior or any other authority since the report was published. The exact location of the land, beyond being a road linking an estate to the central business district, is not specified.
Frequently asked questions
What evidence exists for the accusation?
The only evidence is the statement by Councillor Faliid as reported by Somaliland Sun. No documents, official records, or council responses are provided.
How does this affect urban planning?
If road-reserved land is built on, it could disrupt connectivity and planned infrastructure in Burao, but the report does not confirm that this occurred.
What are the legal ramifications?
The report calls for Ministry of Interior intervention, but no legal action or investigation is documented.