Berghof Foundation: 50 years of conflict transformation

Interview
“
I decided
that I should
not allow
the negative
comments to
discourage
me.
Sumayo
Ibrahim
Osman
Youth
activist
from
Somalia
What is your background, and how did you end up
doing peacebuilding work?
I have been a peacemaker for as long as I
can remember: I am a person who resolves disputes
between students, and I also come from a family
well-known for peacemaking and development.
It comes naturally to me. One day in 2018, when I was
in form three [ninth grade] at school, I was invited to
represent the Balad district youth association at a
training event in Mogadishu, which was organised
by the Berghof Foundation. I was the youngest of 16
participants from four districts in Hirshabelle region
[a region near the capital Mogadishu]. Today I am a
member of the Hirshabelle Insider Peacebuilders
Network (IPN), which was established by the
Berghof Foundation.
Can you tell us more about the project you were
involved in with Berghof?
I participated in a conference organised by
the Berghof Foundation in 2018, which was about
community dialogue. My role was to help the trainers
with the organisation of the conference. We aimed
to provide the community with a platform to discuss
important issues such as local conflicts and how
to resolve them. Each conference is attended by
about 50 people from all walks of life, including
religious leaders, traditional elders, women, youth,
businesspeople, academics and people with special
needs. I was one of the co-facilitators.
What do you think was the most important
achievement of the project/process you were
working on with Berghof?
The establishment of the IPN, which will
continue to work after the project is completed,
has been a great success. It will raise awareness,
provide training for the community and will continue
to provide a space to have discussions on the various
prospects for resolving local conflicts. All this can
strengthen peaceful coexistence.
What was the greatest challenge or difficulty
you encountered?
The biggest challenge I faced was that
people saw me as a young girl, but when the debate
took place, people understood that even though I
was a girl and very young, I was a capable, eloquent
person with a vision who could contribute to peace.
I decided that I should not allow the negative
comments to discourage me. Instead, I showed that
I can contribute, and that the role of young people is
needed. My brother has supported me in this.
Looking at the situation today, what do you
personally take away from this work?
Today I have the skill to resolve conflicts.
I meet young people who are active in peace and I
find encouragement in them. Going forward, I plan
to educate our society and organise awareness
programmes on conflicts and how to achieve
lasting peace.
What are your biggest hopes and fears for the
peace process/transition in your country?
I am disappointed in the transition period as it
does not appear that there will be fair elections in the
country. If political issues are not agreed upon, it will
have a negative impact on reconciliation at various
levels, such as federal, state, district and village
levels. Rigged elections and corruption can lead to
more conflicts and wars.
What would you like people who don’t
know your context to understand?
Somalia is a beautiful country inhabited by
peace-loving young people who have high hopes
for their country.
101