Somali Youth Organizations: Contribution and Challenges to The Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Process in Somalia

ABSTRACT This research established the relationship between Somali Youth Organizations and peace building and reconciliation in Mogadishu, Somalia. As specific objectives this study was set; to determine the profile of respondents; to determine the contribution of youth organizations towards peace building and reconciliation; level of peace and reconciliation in Mogadishu; challenges facing youth organizations in peace building; and lastly, the relationship between youth organizations and peace building and reconciliation was established. The researcher employed descriptive correlation design and used Slovene’s formula to determine a sample size of 109 from a target population of 150. Sampling was done using simple random sampling technique. Information was obtained from respondents through self-administered questionnaires and the researcher followed all the ethical considerations of research. Data was analyzed in both qualitative and quantitatively using statistical techniques such as frequency, percentages, mean and correlation matrix as well as regression matrix, Findings indicated that youth organizations have highly contributed to peace building and reconciliation (at overall mean of 2.660; it was also found out that the level of peace and reconciliation in Mogadishu is quite high (at overall mean value of (2.73); the level of challenges facing the youth participation in peace building and reconciliation process is also found to be high (at overall mean value of 2.75); and finally a positive significant relationship was observed between effectiveness of youth organizations and peace building and reconciliation process at R. value of 988, R. Square value of .975; Beta of .988; and significant value of 0.00. The validates the null hypothesis and validates Lederach’s theory of grassroots participation; it found out that what some other researchers have said about the level of peace building and reconciliation process in Mogadishu is quite different; The study rejected the null hypothesis and stated that there is a positive significant relationship between the two variablesJt was therefore recommended that government should increase its support to youth organizations; training of youth on reconciliation and peace building activities should also be put in place; youth should always be given chance to participate in peace process such that they can get skills and experience.