Somali Youth Parliament pledge to raise awareness on perilous journeys to Europe

The quest to migrate to Europe for better life through perilous journeys across the Mediterranean is detrimental to the future of Somalia as the country loses human resource and lives every day, the Youth Parliament declared yesterday.

In a well attended meeting bringing together youth, Federal MPs and their regional counterparts organised by the Youth Parliament, the participants resolved to find practical solutions to the migration issue among the youth in Somalia.

They noted that the youth can contributed in a more proactive and beneficial way to the reconstruction and development of the country rather than risking their lives to Europe especially with the regular reports of hundreds plunging into the Meditereanean sea en route Italy.

Somali Federal MP Mohmmad Omar Dalha called on the youth to hold on and find better ways to earning a living locally noting that he would pursue the matter in parliament to find a lasting solution.

“Comrades I know what makes you go away from this country. I am going to discuss this issue with other parliament friends and I hope we will put this to an end and you can contribute in positively in the development of Somalia,” said Dalha.

Zakiriye Mahmoud Haji , a prominent politician and scholar encouraged the  youth to consider investing their country. “Friends there is no place like home; of course I know we are facing hardships but look at you, I know you are coming from leading universities. Please think of ways to invest in this country and I know it’s rewarding,” noted Haji.

One of the participants particularly shared his story of failed attempt to work in Saudi-Arabia. “I got on the edge of drowning on my way to Saudi –Arabia and when I reached there I was immediately deported back to Mogadishu,” he said.

Every year hundred of thousand of Somali youth risks their lives to their way of foreign countries mainly Europe, South Africa or Arabian Gulf for hope of better life but sometimes the drama ends sadly.

Mohamed Ahmed Abore, the General Secretary of Somali Youth Parliament who organized the three day seminar said there was urgent and critical need to create awareness among the youth on the risks involved in migrant journeys and the importance for them to find a living at home.

“Somali Youth Parliament will continue organizing seminars like this. We know we stand to help youth issues like these and Somali youth parliament is determined to address issues like this. We have lost our friends, brothers and sisters through these journeys and time has come for us to talk and campaign against this,” said Abore.

MP Mahmoud Ahmed (Kullaleh) congratulated Somali youth leadership for their effort to help the youth and asked them to campaign against corruption, promote justice and advocate the rights of minority groups.