Land in Somalia is more than just soil it’s identity, survival and power But for decades land ownership has been a major source of conflict rooted in deep historical wounds and fueled by modern-day challenges. As a civil engineer who grew up during the Somali civil war, I have witnessed firsthand how unresolved land disputes can erupt into violence and undermine efforts to build stable communities. In this post, we’ll explore the key causes behind Somalia’s land ownership conflict and offer some ideas on how we can start moving toward fair and lasting solutions. Colonialism Disrupted Traditional Land Systems Before colonization, Somali communities practiced communal land ownership, led and managed by traditional elders. These elders resolved disputes and made land use decisions based on customs and clan ties. However, when European powers mainly Italy and Britain colonized parts of Somalia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they redrew boundaries and took land from Somali ...