Somali citizens build new house for former President Farmaajo

In a globally rare gesture, Somali citizens have built a house for their former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, popularly known as Farmaajo.

The construction of the private residence in the historic city of Marka, along the Indian Ocean coast, was funded entirely through public donations.

The initiative was launched in June 2022, with the masses, both living in Somalia and the diaspora, raising about $300,000.

The building, known as “Thank You, Mr President”, started in July 2023, costing about $295,000, according to the former president’s communications office.

The new home on a 120 by 140 square metres of land near a beach was officially inaugurated on 6 February.

In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the former president expressed his sincere appreciation to all Somali citizens, both civilians and members of the security forces, who contributed.

Farmaajo served as Somalia’s ninth president from February 2017 to May 2022 and was previously the country’s prime minister from 2010–2011.

Citizens who voluntarily contributed to the house construction extolled his leadership style, citing prudent management of resources, boosting Somalia’s image abroad, and helping to clear some of its foreign debts.

Current President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud succeeded Farmaajo and has since continued efforts to rebuild Somalia from the devastation of years of conflicts and natural disasters, with support from international partners, including Türkiye.

Unlike in many countries around the world, in Somalia, former leaders do not enjoy bulky pensions and post-leadership allowances.

Farmaajo had once said publicly that he did not own a house in the capital, Mogadishu, where he has been living in a rented home since leaving office.

Marka city, where the former president’s new home is built, is a tourist destination and holds deep political symbolism, housing the residence of Somalia’s first President, Aden Abdulle Hassan.

Analysts say the gesture by Somali citizens is a powerful leadership message that could resonate beyond Somalia and Africa.