Somalia's youth demand political influence

Since gaining independence in 1960, Somalia has faced violence and conflict. The collapse of state institutions following the ousting of dictator Siad Barre in 1991 left no government in control of the entire country. Today, the central government is weak, corruption is rampant, and large areas are controlled by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.

Political decision-making in Somalia remains heavily influenced by the traditional clan system. A clan is a group of people believed to descend from a common ancestor, divided into sub-clans and smaller groups down to the family level. Clan influence as a political institution remains strong, despite past attempts to limit its power. For instance, clan representatives appoint parliament members, who then elect the president. This system allows older male clan leaders to dominate the political elite, marginalizing young people and women, especially from minority clans.

Essraa Hussein, thematic desk officer at FBA, has worked on this issue.

– There are many reasons to support increased political participation for Somalia's youth. Representation is crucial for democratic legitimacy, and excluding young people threatens trust in institutions and reduces the likelihood of beneficial and sustainable political decisions.

In 2022 and 2023, FBA and UNFPA collaborated on a project where local civil society organizations and youth-led organizations held a series of forums across Somalia’s states. These forums allowed young Somalis to meet and discuss with decision-makers the issues preventing their political engagement.

– Despite some positive trends in youth political participation, the country is still controlled by an older male elite, and young women from minority clans are particularly marginalized. These forums created intergenerational dialogue where young people could discuss barriers to participation and propose solutions, explains Essraa.

The discussions identified several problem areas, summarized in the report Youth Elections and Democratization: Beyond the National Election released earlier this year. Key issues include the lack of free and fair elections, insecurity in large parts of the country, and unclear as well as discriminatory laws. Participants consistently viewed the political system as hierarchical and patriarchal.

Along with identifying problems, the forums produced concrete proposals to increase youth political participation.

Suggestions include lowering the registration fee for young candidates, increasing youth inclusion in advisory bodies, and introducing direct elections to ensure election results better reflect public opinion. The proposals have been received by H.E. Bare Mohamud, Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports.

– The structures limiting young Somalis' political influence are extensive and deeply rooted in Somali society. Besides the young people's concrete suggestions for change, these forums have created a new and important meeting place for young people and stakeholders working for youth political participation. We see this as the beginning of a collaboration we hope will continue, concludes Essraa Hussein.

Watch the video: Youth in Elections and Beyond

Through interviews with the participants in the forums held by FBA and UNFPA, this film sheds light on the challenges and opportunities encountered by young men and women in Somalia in terms of political participation.