Somalia is hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine, which comes on top of major political, socio-economic, and security- and climate change-related challenges. Conflict also endures, despite a 15-year African Union peace operation that has supported the country’s government in the fight against al-Shabaab with the help of international partners like the US, Europe, Gulf countries and Turkey. Now more than ever, Somali locally embedded initiatives are essential to coping with the multiple challenges the country faces today.

You are very welcome at the European Policy Centre, Rue du trône 14-16, in Brussels. The event is hybrid with the possibility to join the discussion via Zoom.

This event is part of a joint initiative by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF), the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), the European Policy Center (EPC) and the Egmont Institute around the KBF Africa Prize. The KBF Africa Prize has been awarded to Elman Peace of Somalia in recognition of the organisation’s successful efforts to combat violence and promote social justice. Its record of empowering and cultivating leadership skills among women and young people is outstanding.