VOA Program Examines New Somali Constitution

Washington, D.C. — Voice of America begins a new weekly radio call-in show on April 15th, focusing on the draft constitution that will chart Somalia’s future.

The program, which will air Sunday evenings in Somalia, features guest experts, Somali political and civic leaders, and the results of a nationwide VOA telephone poll that highlights public opinion about the new constitution.

The weekly VOA program, called “Constitution Square,” will begin with a call-in segment and initial results from the polling.

The guest for the first program is the chairman of Somalia’s Independent Federal Constitution Commission, who will take questions from listeners. Telephone polling for the show will focus on four key areas: South-central Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland and the Dadaab Refugee Camps in Kenya.

VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard says, “The Somali Service program will help the people of Somalia explore fundamental constitutional issues, including human rights, the federal structure of the country, the role of Sharia, and who has the right to be a Somali citizen. It will also provide Somalis with a nationwide forum to debate those issues.”

The text of the proposed constitution is being posted on the VOA Somali Service website.

Voice of America is one the most popular international broadcasters in Somalia. Its programs are available on radio, mobile phones and the Internet.

(Source : BBG Press Release/VOA Press Release)