Enabling the Agent of Change
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matters don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss
Yearly, the trends of Somaliland development in the areas of politics and the economy are both in their stages of growth and amplification, I individually celebrate and recognize the inclusive achievements of people of Somaliland. And I salute the good personalities, professional and institutional commitments and triumphs in those areas of society’s enhancement action, multiplicity, and unity. Indeed, these are important milestones that should cause us to preserve and reproduce almost our progress and contributions to the field of Nation Building as we have already thrived to build the State. There is no doubt that every government of Somaliland whether the contemporary and/or the bygone, are working very hard to achieve and set the people’s wellbeing and the country’s economic development. The recent international tested figures showed a positive news about Somaliland’s solid peace and economic development trends. Although we have done a lot while the country lacks international backing of any kind due to the renunciation in the global politics. To keep and sustain these assets, we will be capable to withstand only if the government design a strategic plan for the younger generation. In this article I will signpost where the future of this successful nation lies. As a result, solving the current problems of Youth will utterly vanish the potential hazard of the young generation who are the Agent of Change and a country’s fruitful up-and-coming future.
A concrete figures still indicate a huge number of Youth unemployment, the stats shows approximately between 65-70 percent. Though this result is shocking in many ways, fortunately I would say over the years I have had the opportunity to share impressions about this career, action and progress roles as Youth, or lack thereof at our respective successful Youth members in Somaliland. Through those dialogues, discussions, and debates with the Somaliland National Youth Umbrella (SONYO) I have come to better understand and appreciate their collective efforts, challenges, and successes in the areas of empowerment action and assortment. Without SONYO I believe things would have been much worst and foulest than they are now, and I am here to compliment this organisation which contributed a lot to its people in the areas of education, sport and other genera of Youth Empowerment and capacity building.
Unrelatedly, I firstly, take this opportunity to commend the government of Somaliland for staying true to its individual and collective commitments that made its organizations and institutions more accessible, more welcoming, and more representative for their customers and constituents. Of late, this has not been, and in the future will certainly not be, an easy commitment to live up to. Let’s try to summarize a context that makes your achievements much more significant, and that should make your celebrations much sweeter. Secondly, the socio-politico-economic mood of the country is such that it seems to support and justify the attacks on Youth action in the progress stages. Therefore, I would say in a straight line to my government this time, in a nutshell… “There’s been good times, and bad times as well.” And those of you who keep an eye on developments in these arenas know that the “bad” times seem to have been a more frequent reality than the “good” times. Too often, the reprisals have outweighed the rewards, the criticisms have eclipsed the kudos, and the retrenchments continue to overshadow the modest progress you both have made as a politically lead Cabinet of Ministers and Parliamentarians.
In a short meaning you still doing well but your political and administrative mistakes in a clear calculation I would say, an assets minus a liabilities the sum became negative. I am saying this, without Youth Empowerment Somaliland in the near future will bound to the edge of reversing back to the dark ages. Somaliland cannot survive without Youth Empowerment, the future will only shine when young generation of a country are in good shape, and to build the capacity of young people is a major government responsibility.
Too often, we hear that sufficient progress has been made; this is certainly a grim picture I have painted. It may not be what you would have expected for a message of celebration. But these musings reflect the social, political, philosophical and legal contexts that we must understand if we are to continue to give life to our commitment to Youth action, and equity in this country. It is a reality that we must acknowledge and commit ourselves to counter with a heightened sense of urgency, purpose, resolve, and willingness to contribute to save Youth environment action as a tool of equal opportunity.
If advancement and protection of Youth rights continues to be an important part of the mission, then our leadership and we must continue to be vocal and unwavering in our commitment to promoting and supporting Youth action and equity. If our personal and collective philosophy to redress social injustices is still deemed worthy of protection and advancement, something more than a perfunctory “fight” in defense of Youth action must be mounted, lest these much needed programmes fade unceremoniously into history, relegated to a mere footnote in the annals of the Youth rights movement.
Therefore, telling you what and oiling you why, in an attempt to understand the political behavior of young people and the score to reflect the extent to which young persons have changed from the political positions of which traced the lines of political influence of their parents, peers, small-short visional interest and their tribe leaders and finally examined the effects of Youth rebellion and mobility. In that case, with my positive perspective I fully appreciated the current political dilemma Youth who are the majority of this country as well as the only future for tomorrow will decide, which party to vote for, and if failed promises of any political party ignores and neglect the role of Youth to the different development stages in this democratic country, it is good to understand the power Youth hold in and around their shoulders, Youth never misused their power in any means whether tribally, politically or religiously radicalized motivated conspiracy to their country of Somaliland. The government must understand the potential hazard of Somaliland Youth, which might turn into a national threat if not equipped with knowledge and build their capacity to utilize a constructive manner. Public Realms such as playgrounds, vocational training centres and other amphitheaters, get-to-gather seminars or platforms of political and economic discussions for young elites can be good hopes of mitigating risks of Youth as well as empowering and enabling to the right direction.
In each presidential election occurring in this democratization process approximately two/third of the people eligible to vote are young people who are also eligible to cast a presidential ballot for their first and second time. These young people are of a great interest to social scientists and political practitioners alike, not only because they constitute a large enough group to carry considerable weight in any particular election outcome, but because it is possible that the political allegiances which they form early in their voting careers will be perpetuated for many years, and thus have an impact upon a series of elections. We do not know a great deal about changes in the voting pattern of individual citizens, or groups of citizens, as they grow older and accumulate voting experiences. Nor do we know how many elements of the political ideology formed in the late adolescence and early adulthood are retained for a life-time. It is a reasonable hypothesis, however, that young people, being less bound than the older people by habit and old political ties, will be more responsive to the political pressures of the moment, so that they might play a greater role in mediating political change than their elders.
There is still a growing concern in Somaliland about the legitimization of Youth based discrimination political and decision- making opportunities towards, Government and Judicial Policy, as well as Problem Solving and Conflict Resolutions. Current Representation of Youth in the civil services is Nil. The bulk of who are subordinates staff with no professional skill and less than 2% holds management positions. Youth issues in Somaliland revolve around fewer opportunities in education and skills development for Youth plus not having economic opportunities and Non-Representation of Youth in senior decision-making positions both in the private and public sectors. Local authorities and society as a whole are not always cognizant of the legal rights of Youth and therefore, no consideration is given to Youth’s issues and concerns neither in governance nor in the development of national and local policy. As a result, Youth are the poorest and most vulnerable group in the society.
Specific training and capacity building programs is needed to educate Youth about both vocational trainings and other social programmes, such as political, socio-economic development, good governance, democratization, problem solving and conflict resolution issues, and also to prepare Youth to become active participants in leadership positions within local and regional affairs when they become capable. I suggest that Somaliland Non State Actors (SONSAF) and SONYO will facilitate some of those programmes by getting support from the International Organisations as well as the government as an activists in fields of Youth Empowerment. Because they are the most successful organisations in Somaliland when it comes to social and political issues, the recent political game between the Traditional Elders of Somalia and SONSAF, which later compelled the elders to recognize Somaliland and the International Visitor Leadership Program, which SONYO Executive Director met with US officials at the White House are great examples.
Therefore, what I would suggest in this piece of writing is to initiate projects to focus their attentions and has the right to equal access to public service in the country, and exercise Youth political rights, such as:-
• Leadership, management and capacity building,
• Rehabilitate, counseling and provide alternatives to petty crimes, and encourage Youth to engage in positive and productive activities,
• Raise self-esteem, energize and empower Youth to develop their talent and believe they can affect change,
• Find the aptitudes and inherent talent in each individual,
• Develop the skills of each participant to the point where they are employable,
• Simultaneously, benefit all stakeholders, Youth, employers, community and Government,
• Utilize the skills of Youth to deliver this program and build internal capacity at every possible stage,
• Promote the political information building, good governance, and democratization for Youth to develop their talent and future leadership,
We all have our minds to develop these activities in the near future but we need a strategies. I believe mostly our organizations and the government done none of it, because of our limited resources and innovations. For instance, bear in mind as the most stable, peace and secure Somaliland requires the widest range of Youth Capacity Building, notably in the relation to education system, political, good governance, sport and recreations, cultural entertainments and democratization. Efficient, effective and democratic structures are needed not only to foster national well-being, but also as an essential foundation for regional stability and peace. By assisting in strengthening and supporting the emerging democracy and hard-earned peace and stability in the region.
Therefore, To sustain peace and stability in Somaliland Youth is to be trained and empowered by identifying their natural abilities, training both academic and employability skills and matching them to the jobs that best utilize those abilities, these Youth will become gainfully employed and will positively contribute to the building of their country Somaliland. An important component of the scheme is also life skills training. This training will assist Youth in developing communication and confidence building skills that will enable them to overcome the underlying social factors that have made them vulnerable to crime. In that case, it is the government and other political parties to complement their political agendas in order to confirm these goals, as it is part of the contract with their electorates. To secure the long term strategic plan of a country is to watch over its Youth who are the Agent of Change and the future of tomorrow. Remember the torch is passed to those who know how to light it visibly to see things better.
Finally, it is my pleasure to recommend the current government achievements and success besides your talented leadership based with tolerance and consultation to all aspects. On the other hand, political and administrative mistakes occurred both the government and the opposition parties should be reviewed and studied to learn lessons from the past. I know that your term is at hand but never hesitate to keep up the good work with your next reserve year in order to facilitate the outreach that lead an environment whereby difference can make and assured
I am hopeful you will continue to change and exert leadership in you sphere of authority and influence, and demand that others in the organization do the same. However great or small… all contributions must be welcomed, acknowledged, and are needed to ensure a vibrant and meaningful future for Youth action, in our country. I applaud your efforts, celebrate your accomplishments, and wish you continued success in 2015 for a good change and remarkable achievements since your five years in office in the leading position is about to finish and it will be very delightful if my consultancy works harder soon after you leave office when the term ends.
Mohamed Hagi Mohamoud a Political Scientist and a Social Researcher, and an author of Academic Articles in East Africa. Department of Political Science. The University of Warwick. Email: M.Hagi-Mohamoud@warwick.ac.uk.