Why Education Must Anchor Somalia’s Future? A Generation Adrift...

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits during this blessed month of Ramadan—a time for reflection, spiritual renewal, and thoughtful reading.

Please find attached my reflections for Week 12 of 2025. I would like to offer my apologies for the change in schedule regarding the previously planned post about the technology conference I attended in Japan. Due to recent developments, I have decided to postpone that update.

I would also like to acknowledge the quality of the attached video, which was recorded in Tokyo. It was initially edited out of my last post, but I am sharing it now despite its technical limitations, in the hope that it still offers some value.

The decision to shift focus this week stems from three unrelated but deeply troubling incidents involving members of the Somali community in the diaspora—specifically in Turkey, Egypt, and Australia.

• In Turkey, a violent altercation reportedly took place between Somali soldiers and their Turkish military trainers. This event has raised serious concerns about discipline, professionalism, and the state of military cooperation.

• In Cairo, a group of Somali youth has engaged in behavior that has drawn negative attention and contributed to an unflattering public image of the Somali community in Egypt. Incidents of public disturbance and a lack of civic decorum have been widely noted on social media.

• In Melbourne, a self-appointed "community leader" has been disseminating misinformation about the workings political systems. This has led to confusion and mistrust within the Somali-Australian community, further eroding the credibility of community leadership and representation.

Adding to these concerns is a circulating video from the United States, in which a Somali social media person makes alarmingly inaccurate and harmful claims about Somali refugees. Such content, while perhaps seeking attention, only deepens stereotypes and undermines collective progress.

What ties these incidents together is the fact that they all involve Somalis outside of Somalia. This naturally prompts a deeper question: are Somalis within Somalia faring any better? That is a subject I will address in a future post, but I leave it with you as a point for personal reflection.

One critical insight, however, is already clear. Somalia today is shaped by a unique historical reality: it is a nation in which an entire generation has grown up without access to stable, functioning government institutions. It is also a generation that, for the most part, missed out on the formative years of education that are essential for the development of a civil society.

In my previous post, I explored the importance of education—and it is now even more evident that the consequences of an eroded education system are being felt far beyond Somalia's borders. A lack of quality education, civic literacy, and ethical grounding has created ripple effects that extend across the Somali diaspora. The result is evident in the form of disunity, misrepresentation, and reputational harm.

Examples from other post-conflict societies, such as Rwanda or Liberia, have shown that comprehensive investment in education—especially civic education—can play a vital role in national healing and rebuilding trust. Somalia, too, must treat educational reform not as a secondary concern, but as a foundational pillar of national revival.

Only through a serious, inclusive, and well-resourced approach to education can we hope to restore a sense of dignity, responsibility, and shared purpose among Somalis—whether at home or abroad.

To address these challenges and lay the foundation for a stronger, more united Somali society, I offer the following recommendations:

1. Prioritise Quality Education Nationwide
   A national strategy must be implemented to raise education standards at all levels—from primary through to tertiary—with a focus on critical thinking, literacy, ethics, and social responsibility.

2. Introduce Civic Education as a Core Subject
   Civics should be made a mandatory part of the national curriculum to foster awareness of rights, responsibilities, democratic processes, and respect for institutions.

3. Establish a National Service Program
   After completing high school, Somali youth should participate in a structured national service program—focusing on community development, national cohesion, and practical skills—helping to instill discipline, patriotism, and social unity.

4. Mobilise Technocrats and Diaspora Experts
   Engage Somali professionals and intellectuals in the diaspora who are willing to volunteer their knowledge, skills, and experience to support education reform and nation-building efforts. Their contribution should be systematically organised and integrated into national programs.

5. Empower Local Volunteers Already on the Ground
   There are many dedicated individuals working quietly in Somalia’s education and development sectors. Their efforts should be recognised, supported, and scaled up through partnerships with civil society and government institutions.

6. Include the Diaspora in National Governance
   The Somali diaspora contributes significantly to the national economy through remittances, investments, and skills. They deserve a formal voice in decision-making. Representation in the Somali Parliament would ensure that their perspectives and contributions are not only acknowledged but also leveraged for national progress.

Thank you for your continued engagement. As always, I welcome your feedback and comments.