By: Abdulkhaliq Mohamed Shiekh Osman
There are many benefits to be had from a form of national service. It increases civic engagement; helps foster a sense of national pride and aides social cohesion. 1988 war was destructive, devastating the lives half a millions of Somalilanders, but there were also positive things to come out of the war: it brought people together and helped cultivate the Somaliland identity. All the tribes living in our six regions came together. Of course, I am not praising war or suggesting that we should be getting involved in more military conflicts to anywhere, only that national service helped build a Somaliland national identity whilst our cities and towns were bombarded during Siad Bare regime. In addition to societal benefits, a national service also sees benefits at the individual level. For instance, for many young people a form of national service has the potential to teach some valuable life lessons: lessons about authority, responsibility and respect. What’s more, a new national service might help young people see a bit of the world, build confidence, and put them on the path to employment verses(Tahriib). It might also make leaders think twice about going to war if they or their children had experience of military activity. Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland are just some of the countries that have or have recently had a form of national service. For people in these countries, national service need not contradict the definition of what is a free and liberal democracy. There are many systems of national service, from the mandatory to the non-mandatory, from the military to the non-military – there is no one set standard. It is my belief that whilst a British national service should not be simply military, it should be mandatory. In a system in which everyone must contribute, working side-by-side, there is a uniformity or parity, regardless of class, gender and race. By treating everyone as equal, one can instil a shared sense of belonging and, in the long-run, strengthen cohesion. However, while it should be mandatory, it should not be constrictive. People should be able to choose the capacity in which they serve. This could range from military roles, to non-military roles, such as working with local health, education, national catastrophes and voting orientations. There will of course always be people who are opposed to the military (and rightly so), but they should still be made to contribute in some way. There should also be the option to extend your service, creating a ready formed and much needed employment flow to the armed services and other government institutions. Finally, good work deserves reward. Everyone who completes national service should come out with a qualification that reflects the work they put in. For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or those not in education or employment, this might provide them with the tools to find employment instead of dying their journeys to abroad (Tahriib). I would advise our minister of Education Honorable.SamsamAbdi Aden to think of a National service Offered to our children, who finish their secondary school education to control the huge follow of a big number each and every year and then staying in our streets or thinking ofTahriib(Nationalissue.) That will keep the previous groups engaged and when they finish their National services; they should be distributed to different government or private companies. Next groups will take the opportunity and it will go on like this a stream like system. National Service iam talking about is not only Educational, but could be military and any other departments of the government. Each ministry should have their national Service strategy for graduated secondary school children. That could be a solution forTahriib in my opinion.
Allah protects Somaliland.
Lecturer: AbdulkhaliqMohamed Sheikh Osman- Birmingham UK
Abdulkhaliq Mohamed Shiekh Osman
