Somali rights advocate nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Ilwad Elman founded institution that aims to rehabilitate young people radicalized into joining armed militia groups

By Magdalene Mukami

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Renowned Somali peace and human rights advocate Ilwad Elman has been shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Oslo Peace Research Institute said Friday.

Elman is the founder of the Elman Peace and Human Rights Center in Somalia, which works with young boys and women who have been radicalized into joining armed militia groups with the aim of saving and rehabilitating them.

“So honored to be nominated and shortlisted for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Elman posted on her official Twitter page.

The Horn of Africa nation of Somalia has been rocked with conflict and war since the 1990s which has displaced millions and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands.

The al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab militant group, which operates in the country and carries out terrorist attacks, is notorious for recruiting young boys and girls into its ranks.

Elman and two others – Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Libyan law student Hajer Sharief -- are among the top people who have been shortlisted for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Kaynak:

This news has been read 236 times in total