Addressing the Gap: Promoting Youth Inclusion in Somali Peace and Reconciliation
This report examines the structural gap between rhetoric and reality in youth participation in Somalia’s peace and reconciliation processes, highlighting barriers, risks, and untapped opportunities for engagement.
Summary
Youth in Somalia have great potential to positively contribute to peace and reconciliation and a desire to be involved in processes that will bring stability and prosperity to their country. However, there is currently a gap between rhetoric and practice concerning youth’s involvement in peace and reconciliation. Young people in Somalia are looking for ways to meaningfully contribute to society, but feel disappointed and disenfranchised in light of the lack of opportunities available to them. Even when opportunities are available, barriers that prevent or minimise their ability to engage, obstruct youth involvement. In this context, some youth turn to other paths available to them such as joining militias and/or extremist groups like Al-Shabaab.
There is much room for growth in engaging Somali youth. Two involving opportunities for youth in Somalia are sport and social media, both of which have the potential to bridge the gap between rhetoric and practice. By taking a holistic, integrated approach to youth participation in peace and reconciliation, young people would be able to attain their full potential as agents of change. Young people’s engagement in peace and reconciliation processes would not only benefit them, but also has the potential to benefit Somali society as a whole.
Keywords
- Youth inclusion; Peacebuilding; Reconciliation processes; Violent extremism; Social media engagement; Sport for development; Somalia governance; Youth marginalisation