Somaliland: Sonyo organized ‘Kulan Youth Summit 2018’ for the inaugural of the Somaliland National Youth Day

 ‘A nation whose youth are secure, confident, development oriented and empowered to their potentials’ Somaliland National Development Plan II 2017–2021.

 BY.Mohamed Duale Horndiplomat Editor Tweets @MohamadDuale

Horndiplomat-Somaliland National Youth Organizations (SONYO Umbrella), in collaboration with Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and other various stakeholders are organizing ‘Kulan Youth Summit 2018’ for the inaugural of the Somaliland National Youth Day (SLNYD) – Feb 20, 2018.

A march consisting of 600 youth including high school and university students and being led by the Music Band-boy folk of the Somaliland police, the leadership of SONYO Umbrella and other youth leaders who were invited and brought from all regions went on from the SONYO Headquarter in Hargeisa and took the main street in front of the Presidency and the two Houses of Parliament. The march ended up at the Statue in front of the MJ Regional Court (previously the military court of the Siyad’s dictatorship). People in the march gathered at this Statue and made some speeches by very few distinguished guests of honor. The importance of the role of our youth in the development process was concentrated in most of those speeches. The democratic values that replaced those of the dictator regime were discussed on while the democracy of Somaliland was described as “hinging on the shoulders of the youth—who are the majority of the country’s population”. After the speeches, the memories of the victims killed during the students’ demonstrations back in 1980s when the Somali dictator regime set fire to the protesting students asking for the release of their detained civilian teachers and headmasters.

The Somaliland National Youth Day – Feb 20, previously known as UFFO Day, originated from the historical Stone-throwing events (Dhagaxtuur) against the regime Said Barre) that took place in 1982 and in honoring youth from the past, present and the future, Former President HE.Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud (Silanyo) recognized as the Somaliland National Youth Day through the decree with reference number JSL/M/XERM/249-4570/022017.

The Current President HE. Muse Bihi Abdi hosts the Kulan youth Summit showing strong passion and commitment during the campaign ensuring youth are invested and above all giving youth highest priorities. He nominated from youth good portion in his cabinets. President Bihi  also said during the campaign that, if elected, his government will work establishing National Service programme as part of the solutions for the problems youth facing today. Early signs and feedback from the youth and the population at large indicate positive commitments though such programme needs longtime planning and investment. SONYO, in efforts to this, initiates also establishing National Volunteers’ Policy which is currently under process.

The President of Somaliland his speech during the Somaliland National Youth Day – Feb 20, Said his government agenda  to implemented national youth development fund Says

“Our youth agenda is our National agenda. So, we implement the National Youth Development Fund with the initial deposit of $200,000 to support youth entrepreneurship talents. All our primary school students will get all curriculum textbooks for free to enhance education quality.”

The Chairman of Somaliland National youth organization (SONYO) urge the government and organizations to create employment and given a first priority of the Young People.

“Today’s Somaliland National Youth Day, it’s my pleasure for us to be here to congratulate the Youth for their National Day 20th February, We urge Government and Ngo’s to give the First priority for jobs and other opportunities in youth of this country. “Said Mr.AbdiAziz Saed Salah Chairman of Somaliland National youth Organisations (SONYO).

The Somaliland Youths estimated about 70%, makes the largest population (roughly two-thirds) in Somaliland and yet surrounded by so many challenges such as high rates of illiteracy, limited access
to formal education and technical skills, poverty, unemployment leading to dependency on
external sources such as remittances, lack of youth-friendly centers; effects of conflict and gender-based violence; and alienation from positive interactions with adults and the rest of society. And these problems worsen the youth-related issues being a cross cutting in nature, the lack of coordination of intervention efforts, inadequate youth investment and uneven youth-related resource distributions existing in the region either been from the public or other key international youth stakeholders.

SONYO and MoYS will organize a commemorative event with series of activities that will take place between Feb 20-21, 2018 under the theme “Putting You^th Agenda First”. “KulanYouth” will be an annual event and will attract about 5,000 youth across the country including youth students at secondary schools, youth students at universities, youth graduates, youth entrepreneurs, youth activists, youth leaders, youth politicians, youth role models, women, elites, members from public institutions, members from private sector, members from United Nations and civil society organizations.

SOURCE: HORNDIPLOMAT

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