MOGADISHU, Somalia – In Somalia, where job opportunities remain scarce and hope is in short supply, many young people find themselves at a painful crossroads. With few prospects, some choose to join the military — others disappear into the unknown, chasing a future across deserts and seas.
Across the capital and beyond, scenes of young men queuing outside military recruitment centers have become increasingly common. They wait patiently under the sun, folders in hand, hoping for a chance to serve their country. Many have degrees. All have dreams. But for most, the job market has failed them.
“I studied, I graduated, I waited — nothing came,” said one applicant in line. “The army is the only option left.”
Yet the path to service is not without danger. Recruitment sites have repeatedly been the target of attacks by Al-Shabaab. More than once, bombings have struck just outside army camps, killing or maiming hopeful recruits before they could even sign their names.
Still, for some, a uniform means dignity — even purpose. For others, it’s a dead end. The alternative? Leave the country.
Over the past year, Somalia has seen a surge in irregular migration. Young men and women, driven by despair, are paying smugglers to ferry them across borders, through deserts, onto overloaded boats bound for Europe or wherever opportunity might exist. Many never make it. Some are buried in the sands. Others are lost at sea. A few end up in foreign prisons, caught in the web of traffickers and false promises.
2025 was meant to be a year of healing — a new chapter after decades of conflict. Instead, it has exposed a deeper wound: a generation left behind. And with it comes a dangerous side effect. A growing number of unemployed youth are being lured by extremist groups, filling ranks not with ideology, but with frustration and hunger.
This is not just a crisis; it is a pivotal moment for the nation — one that cannot be delayed.
If Somalia is to rise, it must put its youth at the heart of its recovery. That requires more than promises. It calls for real jobs, genuine support, and strong, accountable leadership.
HORN LIFE
