By Prof. Abdinasir Ali Osman

As Somalia recently officially marks Somali Youth Day, a poignant commemoration of the pivotal role young citizens played in the nation’s struggle for independence, a stark and deeply unsettling reality casts a long, dark shadow. While politicians offer platitudes and recall the heroic efforts of the past, the overwhelming majority – over 70% – of Somalia’s youthful population, with a median age of just 15, find themselves ensnared in a suffocating web of interconnected crises. This demographic dividend, which should be the nation’s greatest asset, is instead teetering on the brink of becoming its most profound liability.

This investigative analysis from the ground in Mogadishu reveals a generation under siege. Entrenched insecurity remains a daily specter, stifling opportunity and breeding perpetual fear. Staggering unemployment, soaring past the 67% mark for youth, fuels desperation and pushes bright minds towards perilous escapes. The escalating and devastating consequences of climate change disproportionately impact young lives and livelihoods. Adding to this toxic mix is a deep-seated sense of political marginalization, leaving the voices of the young unheard and their potential untapped. These are not abstract challenges; they are an existential threat to the very fabric of Somalia’s future, a stark and bitter contrast to the hopeful legacy of the Somali Youth League (SYL), whose youthful founders once ignited the flames of independence.

A Generation Under Siege: Insecurity, Joblessness, and Migration

For the vast majority of Somalia’s young, the fundamental right to safety remains a cruel illusion. The persistent and pervasive insecurity that plagues the nation dictates their daily lives, choking their aspirations and cultivating an atmosphere of constant anxiety. Having known little else but conflict and instability, they are uniquely vulnerable to displacement and the ever-present specter of violence. In a nation where joblessness among the youth is rampant and a profound sense of being sidelined festers, the deceptive promises of armed groups like Al-Shabaab offer a chillingly attractive alternative. Drawn by false notions of power, the lure of even meager financial rewards, or twisted by extremist ideologies, these vulnerable young souls are robbed of their futures, tragically becoming instruments of the very violence that devastates their communities. The stark absence of viable economic and social pathways, coupled with a deep feeling of exclusion, creates a fertile and dangerous recruiting ground.

Millions of young Somalis continue to exist in regions where active conflict or the looming threat of violence is an inescapable reality. This constant exposure to danger forces repeated displacement, shatters access to essential services like education and healthcare, and tragically normalizes trauma as a lived experience. Growing up under such conditions breeds chronic stress, deepens insecurity, and erodes any expectation of a peaceful future. Beyond the more visible conflicts, urban centers with weak or non-existent governance expose youth to a pervasive undercurrent of crime. Driven by desperation born of limited economic opportunities, the insidious influence of gang violence, and various forms of exploitation and abuse are rampant. The lack of effective law enforcement leaves young people vulnerable as both perpetrators and victims. The relentless cycle of conflict and the increasing ferocity of climate change-induced disasters continue to force mass displacement, with the young bearing the brunt. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnee youth languish in precarious conditions, lacking basic necessities and protection. Urban youth in informal settlements face similar hardships, compounded by discrimination. Life in IDP camps is marked by squalor, food insecurity, and heightened vulnerability to exploitation, leaving deep and often invisible psychological scars.

The chronic and widespread lack of meaningful economic opportunities stands as a monumental barrier for Somalia’s youth. Staggering unemployment rates, stubbornly hovering above 67%, breed a corrosive sense of desperation, erode self-worth, and act as a primary driver of both internal unrest and the perilous outward migration of the nation’s brightest prospects. Despite intermittent reports of economic progress in specific sectors, the formal job market remains woefully inadequate to absorb the burgeoning youth population. Alarmingly high unemployment leaves a vast majority of young Somalis languishing without stable income, meaningful careers, or a sense of belonging. This lack of economic engagement fuels frustration and a sense of being a burden, a stark contrast to the proactive spirit of the SYL’s founders. Even those young Somalis who manage to find some forms of work are often relegated to the precarious and exploitative informal sector. These low-paying, unstable, and often hazardous jobs offer no social safety net, no opportunities for advancement, and no long-term security, perpetuating a cycle of economic vulnerability. In a cruel irony, even educated youth often find that their skills and qualifications do not align with the limited and often outdated demands of the job market. This disconnects breeds immense frustration and disillusionment with the very institutions meant to empower them. The inability to secure stable employment directly translates into widespread poverty, trapping countless young Somalis and their families in a seemingly inescapable cycle of deprivation, fueling social unrest and driving desperate measures, including crime and the perilous pursuit of irregular migration.

Faced with the seemingly insurmountable realities of persistent insecurity and a profound lack of economic prospects, many young Somalis view migration– often through irregular and incredibly dangerous channels known as “tahriib” – as their only viable path to a semblance of safety and a more prosperous future. These perilous journeys are a tragic testament to their profound disillusionment and the erosion of any real expectation of a fulfilling life within their own country. The dangerous and often fatal journeys undertaken by young Somalis seeking refuge and opportunity in Europe or the Middle East continue unabated. Driven by a lack of hope, they risk their lives traversing treacherous landscapes and seas, often falling prey to ruthless smugglers and traffickers, facing unimaginable exploitation and abuse. The outward migration of skilled and educated youth represents a significant and ongoing hemorrhage of crucial human capital, precisely those needed for Somalia’s rebuilding and sustainable development. Even those who survive the journey often face discrimination, precarious legal status, and exploitation in dangerous informal labor markets, finding that the idealized “better life” quickly dissolves into new hardships. The transit route through Puntland, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya before attempting to reach Europe is notoriously dangerous, leading to death, detention, and abuse. Networks of people known as “Magafe” exploit the desperation of young migrants and their families, often extorting money and further burdening struggling communities. Youth migration disrupts social structures and economic stability, leaving families and communities fractured and burdened by worry.

The Weight of Trauma: A Mental Health Crisis

The cumulative and devastating impact of persistent insecurity, entrenched unemployment, and the siren call of migration has fostered a deep-seated sense of hopelessness and contributed to a rapidly escalating and largely unaddressed mental health crisis among Somali youth. Decades of conflict and trauma have left deep scars, yet mental health services remain woefully inadequate. The chronic lack of opportunities, coupled with the ever-present threat of violence and the looming specter of climate change, cultivates widespread despair, a sense of powerlessness, and a lack of faith in a brighter future, stifling initiative and eroding resilience.

The constant stress of navigating insecurity, the daily struggle for livelihoods, and the uncertainties of migration contribute to alarmingly high rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, often unaddressed due to a severe lack of resources and societal stigma. Substance abuse is also on the rise. Somalia’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure lacks crucial mental health services, leaving those struggling without access to professionals, treatment, or basic psychosocial support. Deep-rooted social stigma surrounding mental health issues prevents many young people from seeking help, further isolating them and hindering collective efforts to address this growing crisis.

Additional Challenges and the Path to Empowerment

Somali youth grapple with a multitude of additional challenges that hinder their development and positive engagement in society. Poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and outdated curricula plague the education system. Gender disparities persist, and limited vocational training restricts opportunities. Youth are underrepresented in decision-making processes due to patronage, clan politics, and a lack of civic education. Young women and girls face specific barriers, including early marriage, gender-based violence, and limited access to education and employment. Youth in rural areas are directly impacted by droughts, floods, and desertification, damaging livelihoods and increasing urban migration. Limited internet access and digital literacy exclude many youths from online learning, innovation, and economic opportunities.

The multifaceted crises facing Somalia’s youth demand urgent and comprehensive action. Addressing these deeply entrenched issues requires a coordinated effort involving the government, international partners, civil society, and, most crucially, the meaningful engagement of young Somalis themselves. Interventions must move beyond short-term aid and focus on tackling the root causes of insecurity, creating sustainable economic opportunities, providing viable alternatives to perilous migration, and prioritizing mental health. The time for decisive action is now. Investing in education, promoting youth leadership, creating jobs, expanding mental health support, strengthening gender equality, building climate resilience, and bridging the digital divide are not merely policy suggestions; they are essential investments in the very future of Somalia. As the nation marks a somber Somali Youth Day, the legacy of the SYL serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of youth. The vibrant potential of Somalia’s young generation must be nurtured and unleashed, not tragically extinguished by the persistent shadows of insecurity, hopelessness, and despair. The future of Somalia hinges on it.

Prof. Abdinasir Ali Osman
Email: ipi2024@hotmail.com