July 28, 2022 We would like to share the story and dreams of Boro, a former member of an armed group Al-Shabaab.


Boro’s Story

Boro joined Al-Shabaab at the age of 15. He was originally from Gedo, a southern region of Somalia, not from central Somalia, where our rehabilitation center is located. His mother had passed away from illness when he was11 and he lived with his father and siblings afterward.

His hometown was heavily influenced by Al-Shabaab and often caught in battles with government forces. One day, amid the conflict, he tragically lost a close friend. Wanting to change the dire situation around him and struggling financially, he decided to join Al-Shabaab, partly motivated by the prospect of having a new family through the organization. ▲ Boro (age 20 at the time), after surrendering from Al-Shabaab.

During his first three months, he underwent both ideological indoctrination and military training. After surviving the harsh regimen, he was deployed as one of about 100 soldiers to Galmudug, in central Somalia.

Boro recalls that during large-scale battles, commanders would hand out tablet-shaped drugs to dull fear and anxiety during combat.

However, despite Al-Shabaab’s claim to be “defending Islam,” Boro began to question the contradictions of fighting fellow Somali Muslims. These doubts eventually led him to consider escaping. Though fearful of the risks, he received guidance from a friend who had already defected and contacted our hotline, operated jointly with the Somali government.

Finally, on the night marking the end of Ramadan, when surveillance by Al-Shabaab tends to loosen, Boro successfully fled.


Life and Rehabilitation

At our rehabilitation center for former combatants, Boro was overjoyed to reunite with comrades who had also left Al-Shabaab. He completed the 12-month rehabilitation program while living safely among peers with similar experiences.

Boro told us with a smile that the center had become a truly comfortable place for him, a place where he could feel kindness from the staff and enjoy the basic security of food, shelter, and peace. ▲ Scene from our study tour (July 16, 2022) ▲ Care counseling session with Mr. Nagai, Executive Director ▲ Class in Somali and English


His Dream for the Future

Boro’s immediate dream is to live together again with his remaining family. He particularly enjoyed working in the fields during his rehabilitation and hopes to return to his hometown someday to engage in agriculture.

However, since Al-Shabaab still controls parts of his home region, he currently resides in Galkayo, a central Somali city, together with other defectors.

We will continue our efforts so that more young people like Boro who were once drawn into armed groups can lay down their weapons and rebuild their lives in society. We sincerely appreciate your continued warm support.

Our independent activities are made possible thanks to our supporters – those who join as “Accept Ambassadors,” contributing from 10 USD per month.

Together with you, we hope to continue taking on the challenge of addressing terrorism and armed conflict.

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