Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre opened a three-day National Conference of Somali Youth in Mogadishu which begun yesterday.
The youth-focused conference is being attended by over five hundred people nationwide and abroad. It aims to showcase studies on youth, the challenges and opportunities they face in Somalia and features speeches from government officials and diplomats on youth development.
The Director General of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Abdirahan Abdukhadir Mohamud, stated that the first day of the Somali National Youth Conference focused on engaging young people in promoting security and fostering peace. The second day will center on the importance of creating employment opportunities, while the final day will feature a ministerial panel where participants can ask questions.
In recent years, the youth conference has encountered several challenges. It was not held in May 2022 due to the presidential election in the country, and previous years were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Youth and Sports lawmaker Mohamed Barre Mohamud highlighted the extensive efforts made by the Ministry in developing the National Policy for Somali Youth. The Somali Cabinet Council approved the ten-pillar policy during its weekly meeting on May 12, 2023, in Mogadishu.
Minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud expressed gratitude to the Somali youth who actively contributed their knowledge and skills to developing the National Policy for Somali Youth. The policy, covering the period 2023-2030, was presented to the Cabinet Minister by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), Anita Kiki Gbeho, congratulated the Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States for their commendable efforts in empowering the youth. She added that these endeavours have the potential to bring about positive transformation, fostering an era of peace and development in the country.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Barre acknowledged the recent increase in university graduates joining the national army. He emphasized that this group of educated individuals plays a crucial role in Somali-led operations against al-Shabab.
Prime Minister Hamza Barre further emphasized the vital role of Somali youth in government participation, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by the clan-based formula 4.5, which hampers the country’s development and governance.
He urged the youth to actively support the government in combating corruption, recognizing their potential to contribute to positive change and progress
