Somali youths urged to shun violence and help bring peace

Somali youths living in Kenya have been urged to shun violence and help bring peace and reconstruct the war-torn country, according to Xinhua.

Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Mohamed Ali-America said the country's peace depends on the youth, many who have been recruited in the Al-Shabab militia to fight the transitional government. "The reconstruction and development of Somalia now belongs to the younger generation. It is a role that they should embrace if they want to see Somalia return to prosperity,' he said.

Mohammed was speaking at a peace forum convened by Somali Youth Advocacy Organization, an institution comprising of Somali youth based in Kenya.

Mohammed said the Somali Transitional Government supports any peace-building efforts that would help stabilize the war-ravaged country. "We must help bring peace in Somali. We appreciate any peace effort that will save our country. Such a gathering shows the commitment Somalis living away from home have in trying to restore peace in their country," he said.

Mr Abdulkadir Hussein Maalim, a director of a non-state organisation operating in Somali advised the youth to use songs and other forms of art to highlight the plight of the Somali people. "As we think of ways that would end war and create sustainable peace in Somali, we should not stop talking about the suffering of our people. Let us use art to do this," he said.

The meeting brought together members of Somali Transitional Parliament, civil society groups, religious leaders and Somali youths residing in Kenya. Kenya is a host to thousands of refugees from Somali. While some stay in the country, others use Kenya as a transit point to Europe and America.

There have been claims that Al-Shabab agents are luring some of the youths who have escaped war from Somali back to the country.

"They promise to pay them 10,000 U.S. dollars to go and fight the government. Most of those who are targeted are youths who are finding difficulties relocating from Kenya," a youth at the meeting said.

Source: saba