As the sun rises over the vast deserts and lush coastal plains of Somalia, it illuminates a nation teeming with untapped potential. For decades, Somalia has been defined by its struggles, colonial exploitation, civil war, famine, and political fragmentation. Yet, beneath these challenges lies a resilient spirit, a cultural richness, and a generation of young people whose energy and vision can redefine the country’s trajectory.
Today, as Somalia stands at a crossroads, the most pressing question is not whether change is possible, but who will lead it. The answer lies in the hands of Somali youth, who make up over 70% of the population. This essay is a heartfelt appeal to young Somalis everywhere: now is the time to rise, volunteer, and engage in the democratic process, particularly as elections approach. Your actions today will shape the Somalia of tomorrow, a nation of peace, opportunity, and unity.
Somalia’s history is a testament to resilience. Our ancestors navigated harsh landscapes, built thriving trade networks along the Indian Ocean, and resisted colonial domination with fierce pride. The poetry of Sayyid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, the ingenuity of nomadic pastoralism, and the bonds of xeer (customary law) sustained communities through centuries of adversity. Yet, the 20th century brought unprecedented challenges.
The scars of dictatorship, clan conflict, and foreign intervention left institutions broken and trust eroded. For many young Somalis, this legacy has meant growing up in displacement camps, fleeing violence, or watching loved ones succumb to preventable conflicts. But it has also forged a generation uniquely equipped to rebuild. You are the children of survivors, raised in a digital age where borders blur and ideas spread at the speed of light. You carry the wisdom of the past and the tools of the future.
This duality is your superpower.
Volunteering is the first step toward reclaiming Somalia’s promise. In a nation where formal institutions are still rebuilding, grassroots efforts are the bedrock of progress. Consider the power of small acts: a university student in Mogadishu tutoring children in a displacement camp, a farmer in Baydhabo organizing a tree-planting initiative to combat desertification, or a young nurse in Garowe offering free medical care to pregnant women. These actions are not charity—they are revolutions of compassion. They rebuild trust, foster unity, and prove that Somalis can solve Somali problems. Take inspiration from initiatives like Somali Youth for Education, where volunteers have established makeshift schools in IDP camps, or Green Somalia, a youth-led movement planting thousands of trees to restore degraded ecosystems. These efforts show that change begins with ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
But volunteering alone is not enough.
To transform Somalia, young people must also engage in the political process. Elections are not merely about choosing leaders—they are about shaping the nation’s priorities. For too long, youth have been sidelined by a political class dominated by elders, many of whom cling to outdated ideologies. The 2021 electoral law, which reserves 30% of parliamentary seats for candidates under 35, is a milestone, but it is only the beginning. To seize this moment, young Somalis must become informed voters, active volunteers, and courageous candidates.
Start by educating yourself. In a world of misinformation, knowledge is power.
Attend town halls, scrutinize candidates’ platforms, and demand clarity on their plans for job creation, climate resilience, and security. Social media can be a double-edged sword, but used wisely, it amplifies your voice. Fact-check politicians’ claims, share resources with peers, and use hashtags like #MyVoiceMatters to spark national conversations.
Remember: politicians work for you. Hold them accountable.
Next, volunteer in the electoral process itself. Elections in fragile states like Somalia are vulnerable to fraud, voter suppression, and violence. Your participation can safeguard democracy. Join voter registration drives to ensure marginalized groups, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and rural communities, are not excluded. Become an election monitor, documenting irregularities to ensure transparency. If you have legal or technical skills, offer them to civil society organizations which trains observers and advocates for fair polls. This is the power of collective action.
For those with greater ambition, running for office is the ultimate act of service. Yes, the path is daunting. Politics in Somalia is often risky, corrupt, and clan-centric. But imagine a parliament where young leaders champion policies like free vocational training, universal healthcare, or renewable energy subsidies.
Imagine local councils where your peers allocate funds to build schools instead of weapons. Young trailblazers who advocates for justice, and a presidential candidate pushing for federal unity, prove that youth can lead at the highest levels. Start small: campaign for a seat on your district council, mobilize peers around a local issue, or launch a civic education program. Every step forward disrupts the status quo.
Critics will argue that change is impossible, that corruption is too entrenched, that clan loyalties are too deep, that the world has forgotten Somalia. These voices underestimate the tenacity of Somali youth. Consider the achievements of the past decade: the return of relative stability to Mogadishu, the growth of tech startups connecting farmers to markets, and the rise of young artists using music to promote peace. These successes, though fragile, prove that progress is possible.
The key is to focus on what can be done, not what cannot.
To those who feel disillusioned, remember: revolutions are built on incremental victories. A single registered voter, a cleaned-up area, a reconciled neighborhood, each act of courage chips away at despair. Partner with trusted NGOs, leverage diaspora expertise, and use technology to organize safely. In conflict zones, collaborate to deliver aid while advocating for peace. For every corrupt official, there are ten honest Somalis working in the shadows.
Find them. Join them.
This is not just about politics. It is about redefining Somali identity. For too long, external narratives have painted us as victims or villains. It is time to reclaim our story. We are a nation of poets, innovators, and problem-solvers. Our ancestors crossed deserts guided by the stars; today, we navigate a digital age with the same resilience. The values that sustained them, community, courage, and adaptability, are the same values that will propel us forward.
To the students reading this: Tutor a child in your neighborhood. To the artists: Write songs that celebrate civic education. To the engineers: Develop apps to report election fraud. To the farmers: Teach sustainable techniques to combat drought. Every skill, every passion, every voice has a role to play. Somalia’s Youth, urban and rural, diaspora and homeland, is not a weakness but a strength. When harnessed collectively, it becomes an unstoppable force.
The upcoming elections are a pivotal opportunity, but they are not the finish line. True change requires persistence. After the ballots are counted, the real work begins: holding leaders accountable, advocating for reforms, and continuing to serve your community. Imagine a Somalia where young parliamentarians pass laws funding innovation hubs, where tech startups reduce unemployment, and where tourists flock to restored historical sites. This vision is within reach, if we unite.
To my fellow Somali youth: The world often underestimates us. Let us prove them wrong. Let us honor the sacrifices of our parents and grandparents by building a nation where no child dies of hunger, no mother fears sending her children to school, and no young person feels compelled to flee home in search of opportunity.
Let us reject the poison of division and embrace the power of collective purpose.
Our ancestors left us a legacy of resilience. Let us leave our children a legacy of peace.
Waa inaan nolosha dhammaan uga dhaqangalnaa wixii aynu jeclaan lahayn in caruurta ku noolaadaan.
We must strive to create the future we wish our children to inherit.
Rise, Somali youth, the time is now.
Comments
Post a Comment