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What We Do
Somalia

Creating a world without terrorism from Somalia

In a partnership with the government and the UN, we aim to prevent further radicalisation of youth and working to de-radicalise defectors. From the forefront of conflict zones, we work to establish a framework that can also be adapted in other corners of the world.

Since the outbreak of the civil war in the 1980s, Somalia experienced a state without government for 21 years between 1991 and 2012. Even now after the establishment of the official government, starvation remains a great concern as well as the ever-growing number of refugees and internally displaced people. In addition, the presence of the Islamic extremist organisation “Al-Shabaab” - known to be the source of the most deaths in Africa - have caused terrorist activities, violence towards citizens, the defrauding of relief supplies and the current state of civil war is only intensifying, prolonging, and expanding. Al-Shabaab’s terrorist activities not only affect Somalia but also its neighbouring countries namely Kenya and Uganda where the number of victims only increase day by day.

In the most affected battlegrounds in the southern part of Somalia and northern part of Kenya, southern Somalia and northwestern Kenya, the number of youth joining “Al-Shabaab” is never ceasing. In the face of violent conflicts, droughts, famine, the hopeless situation deprives most of the youth of the means to obtain skills, education nor employment. Al-Shabaab leans in to the harsh environment that encourages anger and fear within the youth and takes advantage of these factors to recruit them. As a result, the youth continue to join Al-Shabaab one after another. An estimated number over 8,000 are said to constitute the group and state of affairs are severe.

Our Activities in Somalia

①The De-Radicalisation and Social Reintegration Program

In the capital city of Somalia - Mogadishu - we offer sessions for de-radicalisation and assist rehabilitation programs offered by the local government thereby encouraging social reintegration back into the community.

In Somalia, in addition to there not being any peace agreement nor cease-fire agreements, peace processes do not exist. They are not currently being affected by a post-war crisis, but rather, they are in the midst of the active on-going violent conflicts. Under such intense circumstances, the social reintegration of a surrendered/defected soldier is extremely difficult and further strategic action is required. With the aim to build capacity in society, this is why we put greater emphasis on “accepting” towards our counter-extremism workshops and rehabilitation programs.At present, following the signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) we are preparing to launch the DRR (De-radicalisation, Re-insertion, Reintegration) project starting in August 2019.

②Radicalization Prevention Project for the Youth

Following a request from UN-HABITAT (United Nations Human Settlements Programme), we have collaborated in offering the “One Stop Youth Resource Centre Project” at Mandera, situated on the border of Somalia and Kenya. This project aims to prevent violent extremism and radicalisation of the youth. Despite the fact that Mandera is a hotspot for recruiters of Al-Shabaab and imposes a great threat for radicalisation of the youth it has long been overlooked due to its harsh security situation and geographical location.

Based on the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), we work as their Implementing Partner in ToT (Training of Trainer), offering specialised workshops, creating modules within the project as well as the creation and sharing of a model of “Best Practice.”

No matter how hard the situation will get,
I will never take the false route ever again.

- Shiad / A former-soldier of the Islamic Extremist Organization Al-Shabaab

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