Introduction:
In Somaliland, the pivotal role of youth in steering the nation towards a hybrid democracy mirrors the influence witnessed in Senegal’s recent presidential election. Drawing parallels from the engagement of Somali National Movement (SNM) youth during reconstruction, Somaliland’s youth are recognized as indispensable contributors. Reflecting on the journey towards peace and stability, their involvement in laying down arms, rehabilitation, and political participation underscores their significance.
Challenges and Lessons Confronting the Youth: Somaliland’s youth confront socio-political hurdles akin to those observed in Senegal, including high unemployment rates and limited access to essential services. The Senegalese election exemplifies the transformative power of youth engagement in shaping electoral outcomes and driving political agendas. In Somaliland, acknowledging the demographic dividend and amplifying youth voices is vital for inclusive governance and sustainable development.
What we are Learning from Senegal’s Election: Somaliland’s youth can draw several key lessons from Senegal’s experience with its massive youth population’s influence on presidential elections:
Recognizing the Power of Youth Demographics: Somaliland, like Senegal, boasts a sizable youth population whose views and aspirations can significantly sway electoral outcomes. Understanding the demographic landscape and acknowledging the influence wielded by young voters is crucial for political parties and candidates seeking electoral success. In Senegal’s recent presidential election, the youth demographic played a decisive role in shaping the political landscape, with candidates actively courting young voters and tailoring their campaigns to resonate with their priorities. Similarly, in Somaliland, where a significant portion of the population comprises young individuals under 30, the youth demographic holds immense potential to shape political dynamics and electoral outcomes. Acknowledging the power of the youth demographic involves recognizing their unique perspectives, concerns, and priorities. Young voters often bring fresh insights and innovative ideas to the political landscape, challenging traditional norms and demanding meaningful change. In both Senegal and Somaliland, youth movements have emerged as powerful agents of social and political transformation, driving agendas for reform and advocating for inclusive governance. Moreover, the youth demographic in Somaliland represents not only a significant portion of the electorate but also the future leaders and decision-makers of the nation. Therefore, investing in understanding and engaging with the aspirations of young voters is essential for political parties and candidates to secure electoral success and foster a more inclusive and responsive democracy.
Addressing Youth Priorities: Expanding on the importance of addressing youth priorities, Somaliland’s political landscape can greatly benefit from a focused approach to tackling the pressing concerns of its young population. Just as in Senegal, where youth prioritize issues such as unemployment, education, economic opportunities, and social justice, Somaliland’s youth likely share similar apprehensions and aspirations. Recognizing and addressing these shared priorities is essential for fostering meaningful engagement and trust between young voters and political actors. In Senegal, political parties and candidates tailored their platforms to address these key concerns, recognizing the importance of resonating with the youth demographic.
Similarly, Somaliland’s political leaders must prioritize policies and initiatives that directly respond to the needs and aspirations of young people. Unemployment stands as a significant challenge for many young people in Somaliland, with limited job opportunities exacerbating frustrations and hindering socioeconomic progress. Addressing this issue requires proactive measures such as fostering entrepreneurship, promoting vocational training programs, and attracting investments to create sustainable employment opportunities tailored to the needs and skills of the youth demographic. Furthermore, access to quality education remains a paramount concern for young people in both Senegal and Somaliland. Ensuring equitable access to education, improving the quality of educational institutions, and enhancing vocational training options are essential steps towards empowering youth with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Economic opportunities are also crucial for the empowerment and advancement of Somaliland’s youth. Like their Senegalese counterparts, young people in Somaliland aspire to access avenues for economic growth and prosperity. Thus, policies aimed at fostering inclusive economic development, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and providing financial assistance and mentorship to young entrepreneurs can significantly resonate with youth voters and garner their support. Moreover, pursuing social justice is a fundamental aspiration shared by youth across diverse contexts, including Somaliland. Addressing systemic inequalities, promoting human rights, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services are imperative for building a just and inclusive society where all citizens, regardless of age, background, or socio-economic status, can thrive. In summary, by addressing the multifaceted priorities of youth, including unemployment, education, economic opportunities, and social justice, political parties and candidates in Somaliland can effectively engage and mobilize young voters. By incorporating youth-centric policies into their platforms and demonstrating a genuine commitment to addressing the concerns of the younger generation, political actors can harness the potential of Somaliland’s youth demographic to drive positive change and shape the future trajectory of the nation.
Engaging with Youth Perspectives: Investing in Youth Empowerment and Participation: Senegal’s election serves as a reminder of the critical need to invest in youth empowerment and participation in the political process. Somaliland can take cues from Senegal’s efforts to create avenues for young people to actively engage in decision-making processes, not just during elections but also in governance structures.
In Senegal, various initiatives have been implemented to empower young people and amplify their voices in political discourse. For instance, youth councils, forums, and community engagement programs have been established to provide platforms for young individuals to express their views, contribute ideas, and participate in policy discussions. Similarly, Somaliland can introduce similar mechanisms to ensure that youth perspectives are integrated into governance frameworks and decision-making processes at all levels.
Investing in youth empowerment goes beyond tokenistic gestures; it requires a genuine commitment to providing young people with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to actively participate in shaping their communities’ futures. This entails fostering leadership skills, promoting civic education, and facilitating mentorship programs that enable young leaders to develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Moreover, Somaliland can learn from Senegal’s approach to promoting youth participation in non-electoral processes, such as policymaking and governance. By creating opportunities for youth representation on advisory boards, task forces, and other decision-making bodies, Somaliland can ensure that young people have a stake in shaping policies that directly affect their lives.
Additionally, fostering a culture of inclusivity and openness within political institutions is essential for engaging with youth perspectives effectively. Political leaders and policymakers must actively seek out and listen to the voices of young people, valuing their contributions and incorporating their ideas into policy formulation processes.
Overall, by investing in youth empowerment and participation, Somaliland can harness the energy, creativity, and innovation of its young population to drive positive change and foster inclusive governance structures. By learning from Senegal’s experiences and adapting best practices to its own context, Somaliland can create a more vibrant and responsive political landscape that truly reflects the aspirations and priorities of its youth.
Harnessing Digital and Social Media Platforms: In Senegal, like many other countries, youth engagement and mobilization have been facilitated through digital and social media platforms. Somaliland’s youth can learn from Senegal’s example by leveraging these platforms to amplify their voices, organize grassroots movements, and mobilize support for causes and candidates they believe in.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp have emerged as powerful tools for communication, activism, and community organizing, particularly among young people. In Senegal, youth-led movements like Y’en a Marre have effectively utilized social media to mobilize citizens, raise awareness about social and political issues, and advocate for change. By harnessing the reach and influence of digital platforms, Somaliland’s youth can similarly galvanize support for their causes and amplify their voices on a wider scale.
Moreover, digital platforms offer opportunities for Somaliland’s youth to engage directly with policymakers, political candidates, and community leaders. Through online campaigns, town hall meetings, and virtual debates, young people can participate in meaningful dialogues and hold decision-makers accountable. By leveraging digital platforms for constructive engagement, Somaliland’s youth can bridge the gap between themselves and the political establishment, fostering greater transparency, responsiveness, and accountability in governance.
Furthermore, digital activism allows Somaliland’s youth to transcend geographical barriers and connect with peers, activists, and organizations regionally and globally. By participating in online networks, sharing best practices, and collaborating on common issues, young people can amplify their impact and contribute to broader social and political movements. Learning from Senegal’s experience, Somaliland’s youth can harness the power of digital solidarity to advance their collective interests and advocate for positive change.
However, it’s essential for Somaliland’s youth to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, critically evaluating information, verifying sources, and avoiding the spread of misinformation or hate speech. By promoting digital literacy and responsible online behavior, young activists can maximize the positive impact of digital platforms while minimizing potential risks and pitfalls.
In conclusion, by harnessing digital and social media platforms, Somaliland’s youth can amplify their voices, mobilize support, and advocate for change in their communities and beyond. By learning from Senegal’s example and embracing digital activism, young people can leverage technology to drive social and political progress, contributing to a more inclusive, participatory, and responsive democratic process in Somaliland.
Building Youth-Centered Policy Solutions: Senegal’s election highlights the importance of crafting policy solutions that directly address the needs and aspirations of young people. Somaliland’s policymakers and political leaders should prioritize the development of youth-centered policies that tackle issues such as unemployment, education access, skills training, entrepreneurship opportunities, and social inclusion.
Unemployment stands as a significant challenge for many young people in Somaliland, with limited job opportunities exacerbating frustrations and hindering socioeconomic progress. Addressing this issue requires proactive measures such as fostering entrepreneurship, promoting vocational training programs, and attracting investments to create sustainable employment opportunities tailored to the needs and skills of the youth demographic.
Furthermore, access to quality education remains a paramount concern for young people in both Senegal and Somaliland. Ensuring equitable access to education, improving the quality of educational institutions, and enhancing vocational training options are essential steps towards empowering youth with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Economic opportunities are also crucial for the empowerment and advancement of Somaliland’s youth. Like their Senegalese counterparts, young people in Somaliland aspire to access avenues for economic growth and prosperity. Thus, policies aimed at fostering inclusive economic development, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and providing financial assistance and mentorship to young entrepreneurs can significantly resonate with youth voters and garner their support.
Moreover, pursuing social justice is a fundamental aspiration shared by youth across diverse contexts, including Somaliland. Addressing systemic inequalities, promoting human rights, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services are imperative for building a just and inclusive society where all citizens, regardless of age, background, or socio-economic status, can thrive.
In summary, by addressing the multifaceted priorities of youth, including unemployment, education, economic opportunities, and social justice, political parties and candidates in Somaliland can effectively engage and mobilize young voters. By incorporating youth-centric policies into their platforms and demonstrating a genuine commitment to addressing the concerns of the younger generation, political actors can harness the potential of Somaliland’s youth demographic to drive positive change and shape the future trajectory of the nation. Top of Form
Promoting Youth Leadership and Representation: Senegal’s political landscape has seen the rise of young leaders like Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who have captured the imagination of the nation’s youth with their vision for change and renewal. Somaliland can encourage and support the emergence of young leaders by creating pathways for youth representation in political institutions, parties, and decision-making bodies.
Learning from Senegal’s experience, Somaliland’s youth can actively engage in the political process, advocate for their priorities, and participate in elections to shape the nation’s future. By drawing insights from Senegal’s election, Somaliland can harness the transformative potential of its youth demographic and foster inclusive governance for sustainable development.
Empowering young leaders to take on leadership roles not only brings fresh perspectives to governance but also ensures that the voices and concerns of the youth are represented in decision-making processes. Somaliland can establish mentorship programs, leadership training initiatives, and platforms for youth participation in political dialogue to nurture the next generation of leaders.
Moreover, political parties and institutions should actively recruit young candidates for electoral positions and appoint youth representatives in advisory bodies and legislative chambers. By promoting youth representation, Somaliland can create a more inclusive and participatory democracy that reflects the diverse perspectives and aspirations of its population.
Through active involvement in the political process, young leaders in Somaliland can advocate for policies that address the pressing needs and concerns of their peers, such as unemployment, education, economic opportunities, and social justice. They can mobilize support and drive positive change in their communities by championing youth-centric agendas.
In conclusion, by promoting youth leadership and representation, Somaliland can harness the energy, creativity, and innovation of its young population to build a brighter future for all. Drawing inspiration from Senegal’s election, Somaliland’s youth can play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s trajectory towards inclusive governance and sustainable development.
Conclusion: Somaliland’s youth, like their Senegalese counterparts, possess the potential to drive positive change and shape the nation’s future. By taking the step that would almost certainly be building up the futuristic panorama of Somaliland nation which counts them! If we are Somaliland youth scholars we must learn lessons from Senegal’s election by prioritizing youth empowerment in all aspects of life, Somaliland can harness the energy and innovation of its youth demographic to build a stronger, more prosperous society.
Drawing parallels with Senegal’s experience underscores the importance of collaboration and commitment from stakeholders across various sectors. Political leaders, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and international partners must work together to create an enabling environment for youth participation and leadership.
Moreover, investing in youth-centric policies, such as addressing unemployment, improving access to education and healthcare, and promoting entrepreneurship, is essential for unlocking the full potential of Somaliland’s youth population. By providing opportunities for skill development, civic engagement, and leadership training, Somaliland can empower its youth to become active agents of change and development.
In addition, fostering a culture of inclusivity and dialogue is crucial for ensuring that the voices and perspectives of young people are heard and valued in decision-making processes. By creating platforms for youth representation and participation in governance, Somaliland can foster a more inclusive and democratic society where all citizens have a stake in shaping the nation’s future.
Ultimately, collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders are paramount to ensuring a brighter future for all Somalilanders. By working together to empower and support its youth, Somaliland can build a prosperous and resilient nation that thrives on the contributions of its young generation and the whole nation in our country, as to what I mean I believe and I recommend to my youth and young leaders; saying them: we have to bear the destiny of whole nation on our shoulders by breaking through all the hardships with clenched teeth because we are the hope of this virgin land.
Gulaid Yusuf Idaan
@Guiled2
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is a senior lecturer, researcher, and youth activist in the Horn of Africa. He is an independent scholar specializing in diplomacy, politics, and international relations, with a particular focus on the Horn of Africa. His writings, published in international and local media outlets, offer valuable perspectives on regional dynamics and diplomatic relations, establishing him as a leading authority in his field.
an aspiring university lecturer who possesses multiple Master’s Degrees in international law and diplomacy, international relations,an aspiring university lecturer who possesses multiple Master’s Degrees in international law and diplomacy, international relations,
