Somalia’s Federal Government has rejected circulating claims that it owns land in Berlin’s Friedenau district said to house a historic building, with Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar Balcad stating on Tuesday that no such property belongs to the state and that Somalia’s embassy in Germany operates from rented premises.
The denial comes amid a wave of unverified social media reports claiming Mogadishu holds valuable real estate in the German capital, a narrative the government says is not the first of its kind. Somalia’s Foreign Ministry has previously pushed back against similarly unsubstantiated claims, warning against the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
Balcad addressed the reports directly in a post on his X account, stating that the land in question does not belong to Somalia.
“Somalia does not own a building in Berlin, where did this information come from?” Balcad wrote. “Our embassy operates from rented office space. If you have evidence supporting your claim, please present it and help us locate this beautiful building you speak of, or retract these reports.”
The deputy minister demanded that anyone circulating the claims produce official documentation proving ownership by Somalia’s embassy in Germany, warning that the reports would otherwise be treated as misleading.
Somalia’s government has repeatedly cautioned the public against spreading unverified information, particularly claims relating to state assets and diplomatic property abroad. Officials say such narratives can create false impressions about the country’s foreign holdings and diplomatic footprint.
The Friedenau district, located in southwestern Berlin, is known for its residential architecture and 19th and early 20th century buildings, some of which carry heritage protections under German law. No independent verification of the ownership claim has been found in official German property records or Somali government documentation.
This is not the first time Somali officials have had to publicly clarify claims involving foreign missions. The Foreign Ministry has in past instances addressed rumors involving embassy operations and diplomatic dealings, urging citizens to rely on official government channels for accurate information.
