MOGADISHU, Somalia – Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has called on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to apologize for remarks made during a speech at a mosque in the Presidential Palace after Friday prayers.
President Mohamud criticized young people complaining about unemployment, suggesting those previously involved in al-Shabab activities or theft are the ones now complaining about the lack of money.
Khaire described the President’s remarks as “offensive and unjust,” urging him to listen to the youth’s concerns more responsibly and acknowledge their difficult circumstances. He emphasized that Somali youth have historically played a vital role in the country’s liberation, unity, and ongoing efforts to build and defend the nation.
The former Prime Minister criticized President Mohamud for failing to offer hope and solutions to the issue of youth unemployment, instead accusing them of being involved in terrorist activities and propaganda. “The youth are not guests in Somalia; they are the owners of the country and the leaders of the near future,” Khaire added.
President Mohamud, in his speech, highlighted the progress in Mogadishu as a sign of the country’s economic recovery, citing ongoing construction projects in the capital and other cities such as Kismayo, Dhusamareb, Baidoa, and Jowhar.
