Sunday 9,Febr,2025 {HMC} Somali police forces have taken control of the Mothers’ House compound, located opposite the Somali National Theater, in an operation reportedly intended to transfer the property to the Somali Ministry of Family Affairs.
The police entered the building early Saturday morning, shortly after morning prayers, and arrested several members of the Somali National Women’s Association. According to reports, those detained were two deputy chairpersons of the association.
Ms. Batulo Sheikh Gabale, Chairperson of the Somali National Women’s Association, accused Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of ordering the operation. Prime Minister Barre had previously directed the association to vacate the premises.
“The Mothers’ House must be vacated. The National Women’s Association cannot remain in the building,” Barre had stated.
The association members have accused Barre and members of his cabinet of selling the building to private business interests, which, they allege, are resisting any efforts to remove the association.
In response to the police action, Ms. Gabale announced that a lawsuit has been filed with the Banadir Regional Court to address the accusations against the Prime Minister and to contest what she described as a plan to sell the historic building.
