Mogadishu, SOMALIA – The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in Mogadishu has sparked outrage and controversy with its decision to order the exhumation of bodies from the Police Academy cemetery in the capital city. The government’s move, which has been met with widespread condemnation from the public, is being seen as a blatant land grab that disregards the sanctity of the deceased and the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Somali people.
Government’s Justification and the Role of Complicit Ulema
The FGS has enlisted the support of Ulema on its payroll to justify the exhumation of bodies from the Police Academy cemetery. Sheikh Ali Wajiis and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed Salad, the head of the Somali Ulema Organisation, have provided religious justifications for the government’s actions, drawing criticism from the public who view their stance as a betrayal of Islamic principles and a surrender to the government’s political and economic interests.
The government’s use of complicit religious figures to legitimize its land grab is a disturbing trend that undermines the integrity and independence of religious institutions in Somalia. By co-opting Ulema to serve its political agenda, the FGS is eroding public trust in these institutions and creating a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s social and moral fabric.
Mohamed Ahmed Diriye “Yaboh,” the deputy governor of Banadir region, issued a chilling ultimatum to the families of those buried in the Police Academy cemetery, stating that they have just 10 days to exhume their relatives’ bodies, or the government will take matters into its own hands. This callous disregard for the emotional and psychological well-being of the bereaved families is a testament to the government’s lack of empathy and its willingness to trample on the rights and dignity of its citizens in pursuit of its economic and political interests.
The presence of Abdulkadir Nur “Jamac,” the minister of defense, at the announcement suggests that the land will be used for defense purposes. However, given the government’s track record of corruption and cronyism, it is highly likely that much of the land will be parceled off to government officials and their allies, rather than being used for its intended purpose.
A Betrayal of Public Trust and the Sanctity of the Deceased
The government’s decision to desecrate the Police Academy cemetery is a betrayal of public trust and a violation of the sanctity of the deceased. In Islam, the dead are to be respected and their graves are considered sacred spaces that should not be disturbed. The FGS’s actions not only violate these basic tenets of Islamic faith but also undermine the cultural and social norms that have guided Somali society for generations.
Moreover, the government’s land grab sets a dangerous precedent that could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s stability and social cohesion. By demonstrating a willingness to trample on the rights of the dead and their families, the FGS is sending a message that no space is sacred and that the government’s economic and political interests take precedence over the well-being and dignity of its citizens.
In May, the government denied that it was planning to force families to exhume the bodies of their loved ones from this cemetery. However, Sheikh Ali Wajiis revealed that the Ulema were informed six months ago about the plan to take over the Police Academy cemetery and were asked to release a fatwa to make it legal, thus exposing the government’s lie. This revelation underscores the government’s deception and highlights the complicity of religious leaders who have prioritized their own interests over the well-being of the community they are supposed to serve.
