Originally published on Global Voices

Photo of Salma Osman Abdi by Ibrahim CM. Used with permission.

This interview was supported through the African Union Media Fellowship and the International Consulting Expertise, in partnership with the European Union.

The African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF), implemented by the African Union Information and Communication Directorate and supported by the European Union, aims to change the common narratives about Africa. 

The AUMF thus underlines the necessity of elevating African voices in international discourses. It explores how storytelling can help audiences understand how migration affects individuals, families, and society as a whole — not just through numbers and policy issues but deeply human experiences.

The series of interviews produced as a result of this project aims to highlight stories from the diaspora that cover the themes of migration, culture, creative art, community activism and international cooperation. This was more than a professional assignment; it was deep into the lives and stories of Somali diasporans in two cities that are both rich in history and alive with cultural diversity.

Many of those featured through this fellowship are people whose voices seldom get heard-entrepreneurs, community leaders, artists, and students — each in different ways making their way into the challenges and opportunities of migration. Their testimony reflected not just the private tribulations and victories but also much wider themes: Struggles of identity and belonging, where tradition meets modernity.

Salma Osman Abdi is the Executive Director of the SAFWAC Foundation, an NGO dedicated to aiding dispalced communities and refugees in Egypt. She was born and raised in Mogadishu, Somalia, but moved to Cairo, Egypt, in 2006, where she currently resides. She has been a member of the SAFWAC Foundation since its inception in 2011, serving as a co-founder. In late 2022, she was appointed by the board to take on the role of Executive Director. 

Mohamed Mohamud (MM): Could you start by telling me about yourself and your background?

Salma Osman (SO): I'm Salma Osman Abdi, a Co-founder and now Executive Director of the SAFWAC Foundation. I am originally from Somalia and currently living in Cairo, Egypt. I co-founded the organization in 2011, and toward the close of 2022, our board appointed me the Executive Director. My commitment to SAFWAC all the years of its existence has been for rather deeper purposes than any other commitment outside self and family.

MM: What motivated the establishment of SAFWAC? Can you tell me more about its mission and community service?

SO: SAFWAC Foundation stands for service and care. The organization was established to ensure a better quality of life for Somali refugees in Egypt, extending its support to other vulnerable groups as well. It became officially registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity in 2022.

Our mission is deeply rooted in empowering those most in need: women, children, youth, and the elderly. We provide necessary services that are specifically designed for these groups. SAFWAC has become a hub for the Somali community in Egypt, and we have expanded our reach to serve other communities, including refugees from Yemen, Palestine, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq, and Syria.

MM: What are the main services SAFWAC provides?

SO: We concentrate our work in five priority areas:

Education and Awareness: Organized trainings with the objective of bringing the ability and capability to improve individually for both personal and professional purposes;

Psychosocial and Legal Protection: The displaced persons undergo all manner of stresses, which make life really unbearable, and we therefore try to ameliorate the situation with counselling and legal aid to ease their lives.

Cultural and Literary Services: We encourage and support cultural awareness and literacy-the means of identity preservation and integration within host communities.

Space for Creativity: Creativity is a self-expression capability, therapeutic in nature and empowering. Thus, we provide the creative space for community members to share their talents and bond with others. 

Volunteer Preparation: Similarly, SAFWAC equips volunteers to make valuable and meaningful contributions to the community.

These services create an enabling environment for growth and interconnectivity. 

MM: Your work mainly deals with Somalis in Egypt. What are the problems they face, and how does SAFWAC try to address them?

SO: The Somali community in Egypt, particularly refugees, faces many challenges: Isolation, limited access to resources, cultural barriers, and the legal and psychosocial difficulties of displacement. SAFWAC works to bridge these gaps by offering structured and accessible services that reduce isolation and provide tools for resilience.

Our programs are holistic, addressing immediate needs like legal support while also promoting long-term empowerment through education, cultural engagement, and creativity.

MM: You’ve also mentioned that SAFWAC supports other refugees, not just Somali. For what reasons would inclusivity feature so much in your mission?

SO: Well, because vulnerability and displacement knows no nationality and groupings. We happen to mostly focus on our Somali community, but indeed we take in people right from across the region. Everyone needs to have that dignity to be themselves; hence the approach of inclusiveness makes way for a united one.

MM: SAFWAC recently expanded operations into Mogadishu. What’s the focus of your work there?

SO: In Mogadishu, our efforts focus on creating community awareness and spreading the culture of reading and literature. We strongly believe that through this, we will have more literate and culturally engaged people who will help build a better and well-informed society. This branch is still in its infancy, but it is a great step for us to be able to support Somalis both in the diaspora and back home.

MM: What impact has SAFWAC had on the communities it serves?

SO: AFWAC has touched thousands of people directly and indirectly in positive ways. Through an organized and inclusive platform, we’ve alleviated isolation and supported many people through tumultuous times. We are indeed earning an exemplary status among the Somali and general refugee communities.

MM: What is your hope for SAFWAC in the future, in relation to its work in the community it serves?

SO: The overall goal is to contribute to the development of a healthy and balanced society in which the most vulnerable population can live a dignified life and enjoy their rights. We want to expand our programs, reach more people, and make sure no one feels forgotten or left behind.

For us, the work is never complete. Each success story gives us an urge to move on further. I really do think the best years of SAFWAC lie ahead, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together.

MM: If someone is interested in supporting your work or finding out more about it, what should they do?

SO: We always welcome collaboration through volunteering, partnerships, or donations. To find out more about our programs and services, I encourage people to go online and visit our site.

Originally published on Global Voices

Miski Osman and her colleagues. Photo by Miski Osman, used with permission.

This interview was supported through the African Union Media Fellowship and the International Consulting Expertise, in partnership with the European Union.

I went on the most incredible journey for the African Union Media Fellowship (AUMF) to Cairo, Egypt, and Nairobi, Kenya. The fellowship, implemented by the African Union Information and Communication Directorate and supported by the European Union, aims to change the common narratives about Africa. 

The series of interviews produced as a result of this project aims to highlight stories from the diaspora that cover the themes of migration, culture, creative art, community activism and international cooperation. This was more than a professional assignment; it was deep into the lives and stories of Somali diasporans in two cities that are both rich in history and alive with cultural diversity.

The making of this journey has been incredibly collaborative: it's thrown me into the company of people whose voices seldom  get heard-entrepreneurs, community leaders, artists, and students-each in different ways making their way into the challenges and opportunities of migration. Their testimony reflected not just the private tribulations and victories but also much wider themes-the struggles of identity and belonging, where tradition meets modernity.

The AUMF thus underlines the necessity of lifting African voices in international discourses. It then made one realise the power of storytelling as a way to understand how migration affects individuals, families, and society as a whole-not just numbers and policy issues-but deeply human experiences.

Miski Osman is the Project Governance Manager, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Sierra Leone, a position she took over in January 2024. Before this, she worked with the Federal Government of Somalia and lived in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, for four life-changing years. Born in Sweden, raised in the UK, and currently residing in Nairobi, Kenya, Miski's story exudes a deep-seated identification with her Somali roots while being committed to making an impact in East Africa. We talked about her career, impressions of Somali identity, and perceptions of the unique opportunities of East Africa.

Mohamed Mohamud (MM): Miski, you've had quite an interesting career trajectory. What led you to Mogadishu in the very first place?

Miski Osman (MO): Initially, I went to Mogadishu simply out of curiosity. I was born in Sweden and grew up in the UK, and my parents talked about Somalia, but I'd never experienced it myself. In 2015, I decided to visit for two weeks, but something captured me. Those two weeks became six months, and I eventually lived and worked there for four years. I wanted to do more than just visit — I wanted to understand the culture, the challenges, and the opportunities, and to contribute meaningfully.

MM: What were your first impressions of Mogadishu?

MO: It was overwhelming at first. I always thought I knew what it meant to be Somali, but Mogadishu challenged that perception. The culture, rhythm of life, and even interaction with people were so different from what I had grown up with in the UK. It was a mix of admiration and adjustment. Living there wasn't easy, but it was deeply rewarding. Having worked with the Federal Government of Somalia, I am engaged in governance, resilience, and security projects across Somalia. It gave me a first-hand understanding of the complexities and the resilience of Somali communities.

MM: That sounds transformational. How did living in Somalia shape your understanding of Somali identity?

MO: Living in Somalia really humbled me. I also realized how diverse and multi-layered Somali identity is. Growing up in the West, I thought being Somali was all about language, religion, and maybe cultural traditions. But living in Somalia, I found history, geography, and even politics shape the Somali experience. It made me appreciate the strength and adaptability of Somalis, both in Somalia and across the diaspora.

MM: After four years in Mogadishu, you moved to Nairobi. What was the reason for this movement?

MO: By 2020, I was ready for a different kind of challenge. Nairobi offered a different pace of life, and the opportunity to work on a regional level — the city is a hub for international organisations, and I transitioned into my current work with the United Nations(UN). On a personal level, Nairobi also provided a different kind of balance. Life here is less intense compared with Mogadishu. The community of Somalis in Nairobi thrives, and the city itself is vibrant and cosmopolitan. It's a wonderful place to continue my journey.

MM: How would you compare life in Nairobi with the UK?

MO: It's completely different; in the UK, everything happens super fast and is structured, yet stressful. Nairobi, like most of East Africa, is more relaxed. People here live in the moment, and there's a sense of opportunity you don't always find in the UK. For example, I've been able to invest in different sectors-things that felt out of reach in the UK. In Kenya and Somalia, the barriers to entry for business and investment are lower, and the opportunities are immense.

MM: You mentioned investing in real estate and petroleum. What motivated those ventures?

MO: I have always liked the idea of exploring other opportunities away from my core career. East Africa has a vibrant business environment, and I wanted to take advantage of that. Real estate, in particular, has been a fascinating venture. Nairobi's property market is growing very fast, and it feels good to invest in something that's both financially rewarding and connected to the region I call home.

MM: What has been your perception of the Somali diaspora in Kenya?

MO: The Somali diaspora in Kenya is remarkable. They've carved out a significant space in the economy, from real estate to trade and even politics. There's a strong sense of community here, but it's also modern and forward-thinking. It's really motivating how Somalis in Kenya have managed to stay rooted in their culture while thriving in a competitive environment.

MM: Reflecting on your journey so far, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

MO: The biggest lesson has been about adaptability. It taught me whether I was finding my way around life in Mogadishu or adapting to Nairobi, resilience is at home with openness. I did indeed learn about the importance of representation and giving back to one's community. My experiences made it much more clear that being Somali should be about heritage but being part of the future we are creating for our people, no matter where you will eventually land in the world.

MM: Looking ahead, what's next for you?

MO: Right now, I'm focused on my work with the UN, particularly in governance and resilience. I also want to continue exploring ways to invest in East Africa and give back to the Somali community. There's so much potential here, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me next.

Originally published on Global Voices

School Children in Uganda getting ready for a procession. Image by NSAMBA HERMAN on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed)

The educational landscape in Uganda is dominated by entrenched challenges that continue to hold the country back from its development goals. Problems such as substandard education, weak facilities, insufficiency of tutors, and financial challenges prevail. Despite these challenges, there are some models that have seen some success in the country of nearly 48 million people, and through these, Uganda has made tremendous progress in broadening access to education.

In this piece, we examine the specific context of Uganda's education system and consider how new models and institutions are making a way forward, creating resilience, and encouraging development.

The pervasive challenges

One of the educational barriers in Uganda is unequal access to education throughout society. Uganda has one of the highest rates of exclusion from education in the world. Around 20 percent of primary school children are not enrolled in school, and 12.5 percent of those who were enrolled in school are not attending classes. School charges, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities are some of the factors that contribute to these barriers. 

Another issue is that even for those in school, the quality of education is generally poor. Obsolete curricula, the absence of teaching materials, and untrained teachers are responsible for poor learning outcomes. In rural areas, it is more pronounced, further exacerbating the urban-rural divide. 

Finally, financial restraints and the cost of education are major barriers that prevent children from accessing education. Most households face rising and unpredictable school fees, which lead to students dropping out of school. 

Models for resilience and growth

Despite all these issues, several models have been created to promote resilience and growth that have proven successful in Uganda's educational landscape:

UniHouse's Holistic Approach: UniHouse is a global education, training, and career development solutions firm founded in 1999. It collaborates with governments and organizations to offer programs across diverse economic and cultural settings, empowering individuals and companies. 

BRAC Uganda: BRAC has developed education interventions among marginalized children, especially girls, through community schools and mentoring. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers and support among adolescent girls have shown measurable gains in learning outcomes.

Educate!: This social enterprise empowers Uganda's secondary school students with entrepreneurship and leadership skills through experiential education. By integrating practical business skills into the curriculum, Educate! closes the gap between education and employment.

School for Life Foundation: Emphasizing rural and poor communities, School for Life provides high-quality primary education with increased emphasis on community participation, teacher training, and infrastructural improvement.

War Child Holland: Based in conflict zones in Uganda, War Child runs fast-tracked learning programmes and psychosocial support for out-of-school or missed year children because of trauma or displacement.

STiR Education: Working with education ministries, STiR supports teacher motivation and innovation. In Uganda, it runs peer-led professional development networks that encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement among educators.

Strategic advisory services

Strategic advisory services are critical to solving Uganda's education problems and facilitating sustainable development. 

Officials must be strategic about policy formulation and implementation, as effective policy is key to enhancing Uganda's education system. This includes updating teacher recruitment and training policy, inclusive curricula that are sensitive to local contexts and languages, and eliminating the hidden school fees that discourage enrolment.

Another potential avenue for improving Uganda's educational sector is public-private partnerships. Governments and the private sector can work together to bridge gaps in resources, especially in school facilities, e-learning, and vocational training. Partnerships can also facilitate the creation of curricula that are aligned with the needs of the labor market, improving employability among young people and giving them skills that match market needs. 

Finally, Uganda should invest in capacity-building initiatives. In-service professional development for teachers and school administrators is essential. Programs that support instructional leadership, school governance, and classroom management can positively affect learning environments.

While there are considerable challenges to Uganda's education system, there are also clear ways forward. Companies and organizations like UniHouse and Shimizu Corporation and grassroots programs like BRAC Uganda, Educate!, and STiR Education provide scalable models for strengthening education systems. With strategic policy reforms, cross-sector coordination, and investment in capacity building, Uganda can create a more resilient and equitable education system. This, in turn, sets a solid foundation for broader socio-economic growth and long-term national development.

Originally published on Global Voices

The African Union Permanent Representatives’ Committee members at the African Union headquarters. Image from African Union X page, used with permission.

The African Union (AU) has adopted its theme for 2025 as “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” a commitment to redress historical injustices caused by slavery, colonialism, and systemic discrimination. This initiative seeks to acknowledge and rectify the enduring impacts of injustices on African communities worldwide.

At the core of this movement is the reclamation of African narratives. Centuries of being overshadowed and misrepresented by colonial and other external perspectives have portrayed the continent through a lens of primitivism and inferiority. Such depictions served to justify colonial subjugation and exploitation.

African writers and storytellers

Some African writers and storytellers have worked to create literature representative of their people's genuine experiences. They confronted colonial myths head on and asserted the rich cultural heritage of the continent.

Among them is Ngũgῖ wa Thiong'o from Kenya, an outspoken voice in the decolonization of African literature using African languages as a cornerstone for the preservation and promotion of indigenous narratives.

Bessie Head was an internationally acclaimed South African-born writer and a brilliant example of a storyteller who reflected her people in a very realistic light.  Her “When Rain Clouds Gather” is a sensitive portrayal of rural life in Botswana, with exile, identity, and survival. Through her writings, Head sheds light on the struggles of different communities and delve deep into profound issues of social justice and complexities of post-colonial transitions. Her work remains a powerful testament to the lived realities of African societies.

Why Africans must tell their own stories

The importance of such storytelling is heightened in 2025 since the AU places an emphasis on reparations — a process that basically underscores the imperative to reclaim the agency of narration for African stories themselves. Redress of historical injustices involves not only material restitution but also repair of dignity and identity. Thus, telling their own story enables Africans and people of African descent to confront and dismantle the indelible damage that colonialism and slavery have left on them.

Besides, these stories help in the preservation of heritage. Most of the cultures of Africa have been based on oral traditions for long periods, whereby knowledge, values, and history were passed on from generation to generation. Writing these stories down in both printed and digital formats during the modern age will help preserve them against globalization and cultural homogenization. This is important to maintaining the unique identity of African peoples and their communities, thus creating a feeling of continuity and resilience.

Impact of some African literary giants

The global recognition of African literature amplifies this further. Writers like Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have been acclaimed worldwide, setting African stories on the stage within global literary circles. Stereotypes are thus challenged, offering subtle insights into African societies, allowing readers around the world to better engage with the continent beyond the superficial.

Achebe and Adichie have greatly shaped the African identity in thought and word, imbuing into their communities the idea of survival. Achebe, reputed to be the father of African literature, spoke right against colonial discourses through his influential novel “Things Fall Apart.” By portraying a pre-colonial Igbo society with its full nuance, Achebe managed to take back the history and culture of Africans from reductive perspectives on the part of the West. His works reflect the dignity and richness of African traditions while exposing the disrupting influences of colonization, thus allowing readers to connect with a shared heritage.

Similarly, Adichie takes this inheritance into the present with her work. Renowned for her novels, which include “Half of a Yellow Sun,” she carries the historical eye toward the insight of Nigeria's Biafran War. Adichie's stories celebrate the resilience of African communities; it shows ordinary people navigating extraordinary challenges. Her emphasis has been on the multiplicity of African experiences, fighting stereotypes, and reinforcing a dynamic, evolving sense of identity.

Storytelling, in this context, is a form of intellectual and cultural restitution. If financial compensation can address economic disparities, reclaiming narratives confronts the epistemic injustices inflicted upon African peoples. It allows for a correction of historical records, celebration of African achievements, and acknowledgment of the continent's contributions to global civilization.

These stories also inspire generations that follow . In the case of a young African or person of African descent, being able to visualize their history and culture represented provides the basis for developing better self-esteem. This empowerment is crucial to build leaders who are proud of their heritage and will drive change in their communities with pride.

The 2025 theme of the AU also focuses on unity among Africans and the diaspora. Shared stories can transcend the barriers of distance and culture into one single identity across borders. This unity is necessary to galvanize efforts toward reparative justice, with all voices of the Africans and people of African descent being heard and valued.

As the African Union declares 2025 the year of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” the role of African writers and storytellers in reclaiming the narrative is increasingly important. In developing this art, these storytellers challenge historical misrepresentations, preserve the culture, and empower future generations. Their contributions are essential to the wider movement of reparative justice, ensuring that Africans and people of African descent define their own stories and, in so doing, take their rightful place in world history.