Somali president pledges to create jobs for youth

Somalia newly elected President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo promised that his government will create more jobs for youth and reignite the hope of the people.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday in Somali capital Mogadishu, Farmaajo said Somalia’s youth unemployment rate was about 80% forcing many young people to pursue dangerous journeys to Europe and the US.

“I’m a parent, I feel for the parents who lost their children in the seas or those who have their loved ones in prisons. We will try to create jobs for the youth,” the new president pledged during his speech at his inauguration ceremony.

In the past two decades, Somalia has faced mass immigration across the Mediterranean Sea that claimed lives of many young Somalis seeking better life in Europe.

Regarding the ongoing drought which the U.N estimates to have affected about 6.2 million people, the president promised to come up with a strategy to avert more suffering and prevent a possible famine.

Farmaajo said that his government will put more efforts on reconciliation, justice and law and rebuilding of the confidence of people in the government.

“We will focus on in the restoration of the confidence of people in the government and also pacifying the town of Galkaayo,” said the president.

He pledged to restore the dignity of Somalia and called on Somalis to help the government solve the fundamental problems lying ahead of it.

Speaking about negotiations with the breakaway Somaliland, the president said he is determined to continue the talks between the sides.

Farmaajo added that the achievements of his government will be limited due the many challenges the country.

“Multiple challenges are ahead of our government. Therefore, I am telling Somali people that because of the limited resources we have, our achievements will be limited,” said Farmaajo, adding,”For the last 26 years, there were conflicts and droughts, so it will take other 20 years to fix this country. So my government will focus on basic things.”