MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s federal government has launched a technical forum aimed at reviewing lessons learned from community mediation and peacebuilding efforts, as authorities seek to strengthen national reconciliation initiatives across the country.
The meeting was officially opened by Abdulkadir Elmi, Director General of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, and brought together religious leaders, peace experts, traditional elders, government representatives, and international partners.
Organized by the Interior Ministry, the forum focused on discussions surrounding the establishment of a proposed National Insider Peacebuilders, Mediators and Nabadoons Network, a platform intended to support peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts nationwide.
Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Berghof Foundation attended the gathering alongside Somali stakeholders involved in conflict resolution and community engagement.
Officials addressing the meeting stressed the importance of creating a coordinated framework for peacebuilding initiatives, saying such a mechanism would help increase community participation, advance reconciliation processes, and contribute to sustainable peace throughout Somalia.
The initiative comes as Somalia continues efforts to address longstanding local conflicts and strengthen social cohesion through dialogue, mediation and grassroots reconciliation programs.
