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| Qardho youths in action |
UNDP report about Somalia indicates
that over 60% of the Somalia population are youth under the age of 25 years here.
Somalia youths are facing some serious issues including, poverty, emigration
problems, human trafficking, and radicalization, let alone the higher rate of
unemployment. However, that is not the full picture of the youth. Great portion of Somalia youth are currently competing with
great ideas and stood to contribute the rebuilding of their country in a simple
and smart way.
If you believe that the
Somali youths are the source of conflict, armed violence, and crimes, now they
said enough is enough and turned their force back to the society in a manner
that have not been seen in the last thirty years. The great initiative and the
leadership role of the Somali youth dates back in forties when the 13 young
boys with very limited resources started the idea to liberate their country
from the colonial powers. At the time, youth were in the right side of the
history and today said yes, we are the right side of the history.
The youth of my Country-Somali, have
recently re-invented the great idea of “Iska
wax u qabso” or get involve and do it for yourself. The initiative first
started in Mogadishu the capital city of Somalia in July, 2016 here
but later the idea spread to Puntland regions, starting from Galkacyo, Garowe
and now in Bosaso. The idea is very simple, economical and plausible. The
activities that the youth groups are implementing include but not limited; garbage collection, street cleaning, marking tarmac
roads with zebra crossing or pedestrian lines and planting thousands of trees
in the streets of the main cities.
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| Galkacyo Mayor with youth groups planting trees |
Nicholas Sparks, one of the world’s
most respected storytellers, said “Youth offers the promise of happiness, but
life offers the realities of grief.” Most of the Somali regional states have
not given the youth fair share in the governance system and decision making
process in the most touching and relevant issues. Local leaders often tell the
youth that they are tomorrow’s leaders even if they are above the youth age. Unfortunately,
apart from the lack of political participation of both central and local systems,
youth do not have equal opportunities given to the diaspora groups. This is one
of the reasons behind that thousands of youths in every month have a suicidal decisions
and risk themselves to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe continent. When
the diaspora leaders tell the youth that there is nothing to go to abroad,
youth simply reply, “You were yesterday emigrants and today’s leaders, hence
today’s emigrants(we) are tomorrow’s leaders” please leave us alone to have our
destiny. This is a very dangerous practice that will kill alike initiatives started
by the youth groups.
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| Bosaso youths cleaning streets |
The logic question that one asks
himself, is that what does proper and effective using of youth potential mean
and what challenges stand in the way of doing so?
Numbers of challenges are currently
facing our great future leaders-the Somali youth, among other things; Lack of
skills, unemployment, radicalization and insurgents in the country, who always
target youth groups, to acquire their political and religious ideology, are the
chief obstacles of the youth development. Pirates, who had a bad impact to the
local communities especially those at the coastal areas are also major problem.
Lack of inclusivity in the political process of the country is also exacerbated
the situation.
As a matter of fact, youth are the
power and best resource of every country on earth. A country that neglects the
ingenuity of its youth and fail to capitalize their potential is simply a
country that failed its future. The following points are very important recommendations
for the Somalis’ regional and central leaders:
1.
To
utilize the potential of the youths, especially those stood to contribute the transformation
of their country, both regional and central leaders, need to capitalize the
opportunity and provide these groups active role to serve in their
administrations.
2.
Youth
groups need to be given better opportunities than they
have today. Somalia government and the regional administrations need to
set aside quotas for the youth groups in both elected and appointed bodies
including local councilors, civil service commissions and other state posts.
3.
Government
need to include its national youth policy, certain schemes and programs to create
more jobs, provide especial opportunities to the youth, and allow them
participate in developmental programs.
4.
To
motivate youth groups, both local and community leaders need to work hand in
hand and introduce some sort of recognition programs like awards to inspire the
youth.
5.
To
support youth re-invented initiatives, every student in primary, high school
and or university should at least pay $1 dollar to contribute the work started
by the youth. Mayors of the main cities should develop and introduce
comprehensive plans in line with the town plans directing every house in the
cities to plant at least one tree and maintain it.
In conclusion, youths are the back
bone to the society and cannot be sidelined and ignored their roles and
importance. The youth of this country is undoubtedly its biggest asset and it
is up to all of us to make sure it serves its purpose in the best way possible.
To benefit the courageous behavior of the youth and create friendly environment
for the rest of the future generations, we need to appreciate today’s efforts
and applaud the work they are doing now.
They need our support in terms of advice,
money and ideas to let them do and continuo what they have started. Let me talk
to you directly, you had a choice and hope you will stay in the course. There
is light at the end of the tunnel but only if you have the will and patience to
pass through. Thank you for the great service you offered to your country.
Mohamed Abdi Baldho, is a writer
and analyst on Somalia Politics, Security and youth affairs.
