Somaliland, 13 October 2025 — Somaliland has halted the construction of a new settlement in Sahil region, citing concerns about encroachment on grazing land.
The operation in the Kulmiye area of Sheikh District was led by local authorities and members of parliament, who burned construction materials that had been prepared for the new settlement.
Officials warned that no new settlements would be allowed within the boundaries of Sheikh District, emphasizing that settlement regulations would be strictly enforced moving forward.
Speaking to the media, Sheikh District Police Commander Mohamed Abdirahman Jama stated that the area is designated as grazing land, where pastoralists graze their animals, and therefore cannot be converted into a residential area.
“As confirmed by the local community, this land is grazing land. It is not permitted to establish new settlements here. Anyone who wishes to build a home should go to Kulmiye town, where residential construction is allowed,” said the Police Commander.
He said individuals responsible for the construction fled the area before authorities arrived but vowed that the security forces would track them down and prosecute them.
“The people who were working here fled before we arrived, but we are following up on the matter and will bring them to justice,” the commander added.
The operation forms part of the enforcement of an earlier directive issued by the Sheikh District Administration, which prohibits the establishment of any new settlements within the district’s jurisdiction.
