Somalia Unveils Five-Year $56 Million Plan for Youth, Peace and Security

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The federal government of Somalia has completed the approval of a five-year National Youth, Peace and Security Plan estimated to cost $56 million, setting out a framework to increase young people’s participation in peacebuilding, security and the country’s development between 2026 and 2030.

The plan places youth participation in politics and peace processes among its priorities, alongside the protection and safety of young people, employment creation, conflict prevention and efforts to strengthen their resilience to the effects of climate change. It also seeks to improve coordination among government institutions working on youth, peace and security issues.

A further focus is the reintegration of young people affected by conflict and other difficult social circumstances, reflecting the government’s stated aim of addressing both the risks facing young people and their potential contribution to stability and development.

The plan is intended to bring related government initiatives under a more coordinated national framework rather than treating youth, peace and security as separate areas of policy.

Federal member states and other relevant stakeholders are expected to contribute to implementation of the strategy over the five-year period. The federal government sees the plan as a national framework for translating youth-related peace and security priorities into programmes and activities at both federal and sub-national levels.

The strategy comes as Somalia continues to address the effects of prolonged conflict, unemployment and climate-related shocks, all of which have a significant impact on young people.

By placing youth participation, conflict prevention, livelihoods and climate resilience within the same framework, the plan seeks to position young Somalis as active participants in peacebuilding and national development through 2030.