Is Somalia democracy fading away right before our eyes because of the current leadership? This is a question many people are asking as the situation in Mogadishu gets worse every single day. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power with promises of reform but it feels like the country is moving backward instead of forward. The biggest problem right now is how the government is being run like a private business for the elite while the average citizen is left to suffer with nothing. People are tired of seeing the same old corruption and the misuse of power that has kept the nation in a cycle of poverty and violence for decades.

Read Also: The Somali President’s family: Growing influence concerns
Somalia’s democracy fading under family rule?
One of the most shocking things happening right now is how the president’s family is exploiting state institutions for their own personal gain. It is no longer a secret that relatives of the leadership are getting the best contracts and holding positions they are not qualified for. When a president allows his family to take over the government it shows he is not interested in the public good. Is Somalia democracy fading when the wealth of the nation is being stolen by a small circle of people? This is not just about money it is about the future of our children who see that hard work does not matter as much as who your father is.

The way the president is trying to change the constitution is another major red flag. He is trying to pass amendments unilaterally without talking to the other regions or getting a real consensus. To make things worse he is using public funds to bribe members of parliament to vote for these changes. When you have to buy votes to change the law of the land you are not a leader you are a boss. Somalia democracy fading when the very laws meant to protect us are being rewritten in secret? This consolidation of power is dangerous because it ignores the federal system that was supposed to keep the country united.
Read Also: Somalia new constitution: Will It Bring Stability?
Security is also a huge mess right now. Instead of fighting terrorists the government is using weapons to settle scores with regional leaders and impose authority by force. We see clashes in places like the Southwest region because the federal government wants to control everything. They are even using agents inside the security apparatus to threaten any politician who dares to speak up against them. Somalia democracy fading when the army is used against its own people? This kind of behavior only creates more division and makes it easier for extremist groups to find new recruits among the angry and the displaced.
Is Somalia democracy fading amid economic ruin?
The economy is another area where the government has failed completely. Living conditions are getting harder every day and the price of food is going up while the value of our currency goes down. Instead of fixing the economy the president is busy with foreign interventions that only serve the interests of other countries. Is Somalia democracy fading when our leaders listen to foreign powers more than their own citizens? Land is being confiscated from rightful owners in Mogadishu and given to cronies while the poor are thrown out on the street with nowhere to go.

There is also the issue of the elections. There is still no clear agenda for the regional and presidential votes which means the current leadership wants to stay in power as long as possible without a fair fight. Is Somalia democracy fading because the people are being denied their right to choose their leaders? Delaying elections is a classic trick used by dictators to hold onto their seats. If the president really cares about the country he should set a date and stop the bribery.
Read Also: Somali Hunger Crisis Remains a Major Global Aid Challenge
In conclusion the current path is a recipe for disaster. We see bribery we see family corruption and we see the use of force to silence critics. Is Somalia’s democracy fading so fast that we won’t be able to save it? The people of Somalia deserve better than a government that steals their land and uses their taxes to pay off politicians.
Is Somalia democracy fading because we are staying silent? It is time for a change before the whole system collapses and we find ourselves back in the dark days of civil war. We need a leader who respects the law and cares about the suffering of the common man. Is Somalia democracy fading or can we still turn things around? Only time will tell but right now things look very dark for our nation.






