{"id":748,"date":"2026-05-31T15:29:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T06:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accept-int.org\/en\/?post_type=report&p=748"},"modified":"2026-09-06T15:29:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T06:29:38","slug":"somalia-division%e3%83%bca-new-path-chosen-by-a-former-member-of-a-non-state-armed-group-in-somalia","status":"publish","type":"report","link":"https:\/\/accept-int.org\/en\/05-31-2026","title":{"rendered":"Somalia Division\u30fcA New Path Chosen by a Former Member of a Non-State Armed Group in Somalia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Activity Reports<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\nA New Path Chosen by a Former Member of a Non-State Armed Group in Somalia\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\nWe would like to share the story of a young former member of a non-state armed group who chose a new path with the support of Accept International.\r\n

\r\nThis is Mustafa, a graduate of our rehabilitation center. We invite you to read about his life, shaped from an early age by the presence of non-state armed groups, and the \u201cnew path\u201d he found through his involvement with Accept International.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n

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\r\nOne of the most important areas of Accept International\u2019s work is rehabilitation and social reintegration<\/b>. However, reintegrating into society can be challenging for people who have been involved in armed conflict.\r\n

\r\nIn the communities to which they may return after their release from prison, people voice concerns such as, \u201cIs it really safe to accept them back?\u201d and \u201cWhat if they become involved again?\u201d<\/b>\r\n

\r\nIn this report, we share some of the concerns we have heard directly from community members, as well as the efforts of our Kenya Division to address them.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

How Mustafa Came to Join Al-Shabaab<\/h1>\r\n

\r\nMustafa was born in southwestern Somalia in 1999. Growing up in a poor family, he recalls that his family could not afford to send him to school or to a madrasa, where he could study Islam.\r\n

\r\nOne day, he was told that he could study Islam for free at a madrasa established by Al-Shabaab, a non-state armed group, in his village. That invitation became his first point of contact with the group, and he eventually joined.\r\n

\r\nAccording to Mustafa, almost all of the young people in his village had some form of involvement with Al-Shabaab.\r\n

\r\nBut the life he found there was far from what he had hoped for when he joined in search of an education.\r\n

\r\n\u201cIt felt like being a prisoner.\u201d<\/b>\r\n

\r\nWithin Al-Shabaab, he was not free to speak openly or make his own choices. He was constantly put to work, and over time, he began to lose hope for his future. Eventually, his only hope was to leave the group and regain his freedom. \r\n

\r\nHe recalls thinking, \u201cIf I continue like this, I may not be able to live a good life either in this world or in the hereafter.\u201d<\/b>\r\n

\r\nIt was then that he decided to leave Al-Shabaab.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\"\"\r\n

\r\n\u25b2 Mustafa when he first arrived at the rehabilitation center\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Positive Changes Through Rehabilitation<\/h1>\r\n

\r\nOn his way to the rehabilitation center, Mustafa was deeply anxious. He feared that he might be imprisoned for years or even killed.\r\n

\r\nThose fears began to disappear as soon as he arrived and met the head of the rehabilitation center and Accept International\u2019s Executive Director, Yosuke Nagai.\r\n

\r\n\u201cThey welcomed me warmly. I felt that I had been saved\u2014that I was finally safe and at peace.<\/b>\r\n
\r\nAt the center, Mustafa was able not only to rest in a safe environment, but also to deepen his understanding of Islam through the rehabilitation programme.\r\n
\r\nOver time, he came to recognise that some of what he had been taught within Al-Shabaab was mistaken. He began to understand the importance of peace, stability, and supporting one another, and discovered a path toward a better future.<\/b>\r\n

\r\nThat is why we began by listening to them, rather than trying to teach them from the outset.\r\n

\r\nAfter completing the one-year rehabilitation programme, it was time for Mustafa to consider his next step. Drawing on his previous cooking experience and the positive attitude he had shown throughout the programme, he was selected to work as a cook at the rehabilitation center. <\/b>\r\n <\/p>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\n

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\r\nToday, Mustafa does much more than prepare meals. He also cooks together with young people who are preparing to return to society, just as he once did.<\/b> In doing so, he has begun to take on a new role as an agent of peace.\r\n

\r\nHis dedication to his work is evident even in small things, such as buying his own apron and chef\u2019s hat. He has also tried new recipes using moringa<\/b>, a highly nutritious plant that grows locally in Somalia. \r\n

\r\n\u201cI was very happy to receive messages from our supporters.\u201d <\/b>
\r\nHe often tells our staff how much those messages mean to him. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n\u201cI would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for your donations and incredible support. Because of you, we have been able to receive education, nutritious meals, medical and hygiene support, as well as financial assistance.<\/b>\r\n

\r\nHere on the front lines of a severe conflict, the people who continue to stand with us are all of you and Accept International.\r\n

\r\nSince this rehabilitation center was established, many young people have been able to leave Al-Shabaab.<\/b> Before the center existed, there was no place or opportunity here in Galmudug State for people to leave Al-Shabaab and begin the process of returning to society. I hope that many more young people will be able to leave the group and come here to learn together with us.\r\n

\r\nI hope you will continue to stand with us so that not only I, but many other young people as well, can have the opportunity to return to society.<\/b>\r\n

\r\nThank you for everything you have done for us. I am truly grateful for your continued support.\u201d\r\n

\r\nThank you very much for your continued warm support.<\/i>\r\n

\r\nMustafa once saw little hope for his own future. Today, he is helping others build theirs.\r\n

\r\nSupport and encouragement from Accept International Supporters are helping young people in Somalia build new futures for themselves. <\/b>\r\n

\r\nWe will continue working to expand the rehabilitation center and broaden the support available. Through these efforts, we hope to reach more young people who, like Mustafa once did, are struggling to find a way forward. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

To Our Readers<\/h1>\r\n

\r\nThank you for reading this activity report. We will continue to share updates on the activities<\/b>, and we hope you will continue to follow our work.\r\n

\r\nAll of these initiatives are made possible through your support, particularly from those who join as \u201cAccept Ambassadors\u201d<\/b>, contributing from just 10 USD per month.\r\n

\r\nTo support more young people engaged in armed conflicts on new paths forward, we still need much more help.\r\n

\r\nWe hope you will walk with us as an Accept Ambassador \u2013 to help break the cycles of violence<\/b> and build a more peaceful future together.\r\n

\r\n\u27a1 Become an Accept Ambassador<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/a>
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