#USAfricaSummit: Somalian President Hopes to Empower Youth

In a briefing with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud this morning at the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit, he spoke about wanting to create a better Somalia for the next generation of youth coming up in the country in conjunction with the U.S. Africa Leader Summit theme “Investing in the Next Generation”.

With war in the country, al hijab, children unable to attend school, and a 61 percent unemployment rate changing the narrative to peace is the first step to creating a better country for youth.

“When you’re home to a peaceful country at a peaceful time you don’t yearn for peace, you expect it,” said Mohamoud about providing youth with an “alternative way of life”.

A draft of youth empowerment framework being implemented by the federal government of Somalia providing youth empowerment, inclusion, and participation will be finished by December of 2014. This framework will also include: dialogue, leadership, economic development by creating viable employment, strategic communication plan, seed funding and mentoring youth at the age of 16 with business ideas with a strong social mission and incubating.

During the summit he hopes to make connections with the U.S. and other African countries making them aware of the investing and economical opportunities in Somalia.