PRESS RELEASE: The Right Path (Tubta Toosan) Initiative – Somalia

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Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have a huge role to Prevent or Countering Violent Extremism in Somalia

Mogadishu, 10 July 2016 – Hon Mustafa Duhulow, CVE Coordinator for Somalia praises the efforts of Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow, Chairperson of South-West Better Life Association (SBLA) for his leadership to implement CVE programs and activities in Baidoa, the temporary capital of South-West State of Somalia. Hon Duhulow and Hon Yarrow met and discussed in detail on the national P/CVE Strategy, the implementation of CVE programs and activities throughout regions of Somalia.

Hon Mustafa Duhulow said “Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow’s initiative to provide an alternative path to our young people is exactly what our young people needs in Somalia and that is why we begun the national campaign on Tubta Toosan Initiative (The Right Path). It has always been our strategic approach to involve civil society groups in our initiatives, as they are the ones that can better engage with society, the ones that better know the local issues, and they are the ones that have the legitimacy, image and credible voices to Preventing or Countering Violent Extremism in Somalia. South-West Better Life Association (SBLA) is an example on how civil society groups can do more to help the society to promote the peacefulness of our religion and to reject all violent extremism in our country.”

Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow, Chairperson of SBLA thanked Hon Mustafa Duhulow and said “ SBLA is very pleased to work with the national CVE Coordinator and the CVE Implementation Platform or Coordination Office. SWBLA is ready to share experiences from South-West State of Somalia, as SBLA manages a youth center in Baidoa, which runs several CVE programs and focuses on certain specific areas among them is the implementation of peace building/social reconciliation and CVE-related programs in Southwest State of Somalia through enlightening the community on the dangers involved in violent extremism, radicalization and its aftermath. It also plays important role in engaging the community in activities that keeps them sustained and keeps their mind involved and focused in economy building through income generating activities (IGA).

Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow provided an update progress to Hon Mustafa Duhulow and stated that SBLA provides vocational training skills including Literacy, Wood carpentry, Computer literacy, Electric & Wiring, Tailoring, Saloon & Hair dressing, Welding & iron/metal work, Farm & Gardening Skills.

Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow stated that the center currently has One Thousand and One Hundred (1,100) selected beneficiaries that upon completion of their courses, can be in a position to create employment opportunities (Entrepreneurship initiation), have education, play roles in capacity building, develop sporting activities and other opportunities that may benefit the young generation. This helps in keeping their idle minds busy and reduces their risks of being recruited by extremist militias groups.

Hon Mustafa Duhulow said “I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to the leadership of Hon Ibrahim Isak Yarrow for his extra-ordinary initiative to help young people and to provide alternative programs so that they can become a useful members of the society that can advance and promote the peace-building of the country. Tubta Toosan Initiative plans to reach out to all regions of Somalia and to all segments of the society so that the national P/CVE Strategy will address the root causes and drivers of violent extremism. We also want the strategy to be a Somali owned, Somali led and community driven, and that is why we are going to all the regions and talking to all segments of the society.”

The Tubta Toosan Initiative with the support of EU and Blueprint Somalia initiated the process to develop a national CVE strategy with the full support and at the direction of the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia. Next steps will include further engagement with stakeholders and the sharing of a draft strategy for more consultation. As many Somalis as possible will be given the opportunity to make contributions to the strategy, including members of the Diaspora and through an online consultation where any citizen can offer their input.