Mogadishu, SOMALIA – The Mogadishu local government has staged demonstrations to manufacture support for the controversial constitutional amendments that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is pushing through parliament. Political stakeholders and citizens alike have widely criticized and expressed concern over these amendments, expected to be forcibly passed within the week.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of these staged demonstrations is how organizers have forced schoolchildren to participate, removing them from their classes and using them as political props. This blatant exploitation of minors for political gain is not only unethical but also a violation of their right to education and protection from manipulation. The use of children in such demonstrations is a clear indication of the lengths to which the local government is willing to go to create an illusion of support for the President’s unconstitutional actions.
Manufacturing Consent
The staging of these demonstrations by the Mogadishu local government raises serious questions about the integrity of the constitutional reform process. It suggests that the government is not only aware of the unpopularity of the amendments but is also actively working to suppress dissent and manipulate public opinion. Such actions are antithetical to the principles of democratic governance and undermine the legitimacy of any changes made to the constitution.
Moreover, the use of schoolchildren in these demonstrations is a grave violation of their rights and well-being. Children in Somalia should never serve as political tools or face forced participation in activities that advance a particular agenda. The local government’s willingness to exploit vulnerable minors for political gain demonstrates a disturbing lack of concern for their welfare and a disregard for the long-term consequences of such actions.
The international community and Somali citizens must strongly condemn the Mogadishu local government’s staged demonstrations and the use of schoolchildren as political props. Authoritarian regimes, not democratic governments, employ tactics like exploiting minors and manipulating public opinion. It is crucial to hold the President and his allies accountable for these actions and conduct the constitutional reform process in a transparent, inclusive, and legitimate manner.
The path forward is clear: the government must immediately cease the use of coercive tactics to manufacture support for the constitutional amendments. The President must engage in genuine dialogue with all political stakeholders, including the Federal Member States, to reach a consensus on the proposed changes. The rights and well-being of children in Somalia must be protected, and their participation in political demonstrations must be strictly prohibited.
Failure to address these concerns will only further erode public trust in the government and undermine the stability of the country. The Somali people deserve a constitution that reflects their collective will and aspirations, not one that serves the narrow interests of those in power. It is time for the government to abandon its unconstitutional and unethical tactics and work towards a transparent and inclusive reform process that benefits all Somalis.
