Help Break the Chains of Violence in Somalia

We would like to share the story and dreams of Boro (a pseudonym), a former member of the armed group Al-Shabaab.

*Boro is a pseudonym used to protect his identity.

Boro’s Story

Boro joined Al-Shabaab at the age of 15. He was originally from a southern region of Somalia, not from central Somalia, where our rehabilitation center is located. His mother had passed away from illness when he was 11 and he lived with his father and siblings afterward.

His hometown was heavily influenced by Al-Shabaab and often caught in battles with government forces. One day, amid the conflict, he tragically lost a close friend. Wanting to change the dire situation around him and struggling financially, he decided to join Al-Shabaab, partly motivated by the prospect of having a new family through the organization.

During his first three months, he underwent both ideological indoctrination and military training. After surviving the harsh regimen, he was deployed as one of about 100 soldiers to Galmudug, in central Somalia.

Boro recalls that during large-scale battles, commanders would hand out tablet-shaped drugs to dull fear and anxiety during combat.

However, despite Al-Shabaab’s claim to be “defending Islam,” Boro began to question the contradictions of fighting fellow Somali Muslims. These doubts eventually led him to consider escaping. Though fearful of the risks, he received guidance from a friend who had already defected and contacted our hotline, operated jointly with the Somali government.

Finally, on the night marking the end of Ramadan, when surveillance by Al-Shabaab tends to loosen, Boro successfully fled.

Life and Rehabilitation

At our rehabilitation center for former combatants, Boro was overjoyed to reunite with comrades who had also left Al-Shabaab. He completed the 12-month rehabilitation program while living safely among peers with similar experiences.

Boro told us with a smile that the center had become a truly comfortable place for him, a place where he could feel kindness from the staff and enjoy the basic security of food, shelter, and peace.

His Dream for the Future

Boro’s immediate dream is to live together again with his remaining family. He particularly enjoyed working in the fields during his rehabilitation and hopes to return to his hometown someday to engage in agriculture.

However, since Al-Shabaab still controls parts of his home region.

We will continue our efforts so that more young people like Boro who were once drawn into armed groups can lay down their weapons and rebuild their lives in society. We sincerely appreciate your continued warm support.

Together with you, we hope to continue taking on the challenge of addressing armed conflict.