Garowe, Puntland, November 5, 2025: The Media Association of Puntland (MAP), with support from the European Union (EU) and in collaboration with BBC Media Action, has launched a bold new peacebuilding initiative aimed at placing young people at the heart of Puntland’s peace and stability agenda.
Through the establishment of Youth-led Nabadda (Peace) Clubs across the region, MAP is empowering young men and women to become the driving force behind dialogue, tolerance, and positive change.
The initiative, implemented under the project “Building a Peaceful Future: Youth Empowerment through Media Engagement in Somalia,” seeks to turn the tide on youth marginalization by giving them the tools, platforms, and voice to lead their own peace efforts.
Throughout October 2025, MAP successfully launched community-based peace clubs in Gardho, Bosaso, Garowe, and Galkayo, each composed of ten members with equal representation of young men and women.
At the Galkaio launch, Hafso Mohamed Hassan, Secretary General of the Mudug-Galmudug Youth Network (DUDMUDUG), spoke with conviction about the significance of the initiative for young people across Puntland:
“The establishment of the Nabadda Peace Clubs marks a turning point for youth engagement in peacebuilding. For too long, young people have been viewed as spectators in peace processes — today, we are stepping forward as leaders. Through these clubs, both young women and men are showing that we can bridge divides, resolve local conflicts, and drive lasting change in our communities.”
In Garowe, the launch of an all-women peace club drew widespread attention for its message of inclusion and leadership. Ruun Abdi, Deputy chair of the Puntland Youth Associations Network (PYAN) remarked:
“This initiative is a breakthrough for young women in Puntland. It provides a safe and empowering space for us to discuss peace, inclusion, and leadership. We are now better positioned to work with our communities and contribute meaningfully to the peace process.”
To strengthen coordination and sustain engagement, each club has established a dedicated communication channel where members exchange information, plan community peace initiatives, and maintain active collaboration between meetings.
Speaking on the broader significance of the initiative, Naima Musse Elmi, (Right Above) Secretary General of MAP, said:
“The Youth-led Nabadda Clubs are more than gatherings — they are the heartbeat of a new peace movement in Puntland. When young people lead and their voices are amplified through the media, peace becomes real, visible, and lasting. MAP is proud to champion this generation of peacebuilders who are transforming communication into action and dialogue into unity.”
By combining youth leadership with the power of the media, the initiative introduces a dynamic model of media-driven peacebuilding — where stories of collaboration, resilience, and hope counter disinformation and inspire others to take part in shaping peaceful communities.
MAP extends its deep appreciation to its youth partners — the PYAN Youth Group, ABYAN Youth Network, DUDMUDUG youth network, and the Karkaar Youth Group — for their leadership and commitment to empowering local youth. The association also recognizes the invaluable support of community elders, religious leaders, and local government authorities who have embraced the initiative and strengthened its legitimacy at the grassroots level.
The establishment of the Youth-led Nabadda (Peace) Clubs signals a new era in Puntland’s peace journey — one led by its youth. Through these clubs, MAP and its partners are investing in a generation that believes in dialogue over division, empathy over exclusion, and media as a bridge for peace.
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