Mogadishu, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is facing a wave of backlash following controversial remarks in which he suggested that young people including university graduates frustrated with unemployment should consider manual labor, such as construction work, instead of protesting online.
Mohamud made the comments during a weekly public address on Friday, where he dismissed online protests led by university graduates and young professionals as being aligned with the extremist group al-Shabab.
He told the protesters to take up construction work or other forms of manual labor instead of voicing their frustrations on social media.
“Those complaining about joblessness and brokenness’ are either former members of al-Shabab or propagandists. They should focus on contributing to the nation by engaging in manual work,” Mohamud said.
“If they truly want to get jobs, they should pick up tools and join the ongoing construction projects.”
The remarks however drew swift condemnation from opposition leaders and the public, who accused the president of trivializing the difficulties faced by Somalia’s youth amid a severe economic downturn.
“I am disappointed with the President’s dismissive response to the youth’s grievances about unemployment and economic hardship.” opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame said.
“He should not deny the decline in the country’s businesses, especially in the real estate sector, after government officials sold public land at low prices.”
Abdishakur further noted that the president should also acknowledge that ‘excessive’ taxation and service fees have closed doors for small businesses, and that incompetence, corruption, and mismanagement have halted projects funded by international donors, while stolen funds were invested abroad.
President Mohamud’s controversial comments come amid widespread unrest among Somali youth, who are increasingly vocal about high unemployment and economic hardship.
Former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire has also criticized the president’s remarks, adding his voice to the growing calls for the President to retract his “insulting” comments aimed at the country’s youth struggling with unemployment and challenging daily conditions.
The online protests, primarily driven by university graduates and young professionals, have highlighted the disparity between their expectations and the realities of Somalia’s job market.
Meanwhile, Mohamud’s remarks, which dismissed these concerns and suggested manual labor as an alternative, have intensified tensions between the government and the younger generation, sparking both domestic and international scrutiny.
Social media platforms, where the initial protests gained momentum, have been flooded with reactions from young Somalis expressing their dismay.
“We are not asking for handouts; we are asking for opportunities,” wrote one Twitter user, who identified themselves as a recent university graduate.
“The President’s remarks are an insult to every young person struggling to find a job in this country.”
Many argued that the president’s comments reflected a lack of understanding of the challenges they face in finding employment.
“The President’s remarks are a slap in the face to every young person struggling to make ends meet in this country,” one Twitter user posted.
“We need opportunities, not insults.”
Human rights organizations have also weighed in, urging the Somali government to take the concerns of its youth more seriously.
The Somali government has not yet issued an official response to the backlash, but some officials have privately expressed concerns about the impact of the controversy on the administration’s relationship with the youth.
Somalia, which has been grappling with instability and economic hardship for years, has seen unemployment rates soar, particularly among young people.
Amid the growing economic crisis, the president’s remarks have highlighted the deep frustration within this demographic, raising questions about how the government plans to address the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
Dr. Ahmed Yusuf, an economist specializing in Somali labor markets, criticized the president’s response.
“The suggestion that university graduates should pursue manual labor overlooks the systemic issues contributing to unemployment,” he said.
“Young people are facing barriers to employment that require structural solutions, not dismissive rhetoric.”
Another expert, Hassan Nur, a political analyst based in Mogadishu warned that the president’s comments not only alienate the youth but also risk exacerbating political instability.
“Addressing economic challenges with such rhetoric undermines trust in leadership and fails to address the root causes of dissatisfaction.” He noted.
Somalia has struggled with prolonged instability and economic difficulties since the early 1990s, following the collapse of its central government.
Despite some progress in recent years, unemployment remains high, particularly among young people who are often more educated than the job market can absorb.
The economic strain is compounded by ongoing conflict, corruption, and inadequate infrastructure.
In recent months, there has been a notable increase in youth activism, driven by frustrations over joblessness and economic disparities.
The online protests have become a platform for young Somalis to voice their demands for better opportunities and government accountability.
With the economic challenges show no signs of abating, President Mohamud’s administration, facing criticism for its handling of these issues, has been under pressure to respond to the economic and social grievances of the younger generation.
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