Two and a half decades of conflict, destroyed much of the country’s governance structure, economic infrastructure, and institutions. Following the collapse of the Central government, in 1991, Somalia experienced deep cycles of internal conflict that fragmented the country, undermined legitimate institutions, and created widespread vulnerability.
In 2012, a new federal government emerged in Mogadishu within the framework established by the Provisional Constitution. A successful political transition was matched by parallel progress on the security front. Following the political transition in 2012 the international community agreed to the Somali Compact with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), based on the principles of the New Deal. The Compact, which was agreed to at the Brussels Conference in September 2013, provides an organizing framework (2014-16) for the delivery of assistance to Somalia in line with national priorities and increasingly delivered by Somali institutions.
Economic empowerment is the capacity of young women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit from growth processes in ways that recognize the value of their contributions, respect their dignity and make it possible to negotiate a fairer distribution of the benefits of growth. Economic empowerment increases Youth’s access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs, financial services, property and other productive assets, skills development and market information.
Youth's economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development and for achieving the Development Goals. And economic empowerment is also a right. There is no quick fix. Youth's economic empowerment takes sound public policies, a holistic approach and long-term commitment from all development actors. Donors can also increase their investment.
The economy is highly dependent on imports with the share of exports to GDP being only 14%. Imports account for more than two thirds of GDP, creating a large trade deficit, mainly financed by remittances and international aid. Remittances not only provide a buffer to the economy but also are a lifeline to large segments of the population cushioning household economies and creating a buffer against shocks (drought, trade bans, inter-clan clashes).
Youth Challenge:
The private sector is still fragile and cannot absorb high number of new graduates and even if that was possible, there is the usual nepotistic mindset of hiring family members rather than qualified young candidates.
The entrepreneur minded graduates face the inevitable fact of not having a bank loan, investment houses and crowd source funding that are ubiquitous in more stable countries. Furthermore, electricity, internet and transportations are unavailable or expensive. Market access and local buying power are weak because of the lack of viable employment prevalent in the country.
The result is thousands of youths who are unable to find jobs are lounging around Government Institutions, International Organization, and Private Companies. They are escaping from crushing unemployment, poverty and uncertain future.
These youth are under pressure from two fronts, one from their parents who are eager for them to find a job and want them to create future for themselves. Secondly, the youth want to accomplish something meaningful such as creating family and to contribute society.
Sadly, these bright young people after waiting years for job opportunities that never arrive are bored and finally are detached from the world they live in. They see their live meaningless and are willing to gamble it all. They are choosing between two equally perilous alternatives (1) Put their lives at risk as they go on a boat journey in search of better life in Europe (2) Join the criminal underworld such as gangs.
The fact of the matter is, this is the Somalia’s youth landscape of today. It does not matter if they are in Mogadishu, Hargeysa, Boosaso, Baydhabo, or Kismayo the picture is the same. The studies show that over 70% of the Somali people are less than 30 years old. This majority has the capacity to either destroy the country further or contribute to its rebuilding, the Somali Youth are mostly unemployment.
Possible Solutions:
Guarantee formal and informal education for young people, channeling their power and energy into learning and development. Acknowledge and include young people as stakeholders in the process of peace and security building, bearing in mind that they are both affected by conflict and the key to a progressive nation. Eliminate the catalysts of conflict,
1. The solution must be collaborative effort between the youth, educational institutions, government, United Nations, NGOs and international partners.
2. The solution must provide apprenticeship education to prepare the youth with the skills they need to succeed in the new job creation initiative (Vocational Training the specific trade skills like fishing, painting, tailors.
3. There must be seed funding in terms of Microfinance and initial startup resource and matching of the entrepreneur with cooperative enterprise that is available in his/her environment.
4. It must have access to established experts to guide the initial months until fully operational stage is achieved.
Conclusion:
Youth empowerment in Somalia is a multi-level construct that requires an understanding of individual adaptation, Government, and community life evolution – representing the individual, Government, and community levels of empowerment. Youth empowerment can also be both process and outcomes oriented, empowering youth with skill development and opportunities, and creating empowered youth who have greater control in Governmental and community decision-making.
Youth unemployment in is ticking time bomb that cannot be swept under the rag and cannot be ignored. It is a problem that is directly tied to security, stability, and nation building. It needs optimists with practical solutions and collaboration between the youth, government, academia, and willing international partners. To achieve that, we must first, acknowledge the problem exists and we need practical local solutions to fix it.
