A/HRC/12/44 page 18 that Mogadishu should be abandoned; he understands its historical and psychological importance for Somalia as a whole. However, the difficulties in Mogadishu should not undermine the Government’s and the international community’s efforts to take beneficial initiatives for the people, which would help them and at the same time prepare the country for the future. 82. The mission helped the independent expert to form some ideas in this regard. With regard to education, one thing that struck the independent expert about the armed conflicts in Somalia, apart from the killings, bloodshed and human suffering they have caused for so long, was their impact on the education sector. The fact that almost two generations of Somali children have been deprived of education opportunities that would prepare them for a profession in the modern world and help them to earn a livelihood is terribly saddening. One shudders to think of a Somalia devoid of educated personnel to tend to the affairs of the State when peace returns. The independent expert recalls the reasons many parents gave for fleeing Somalia, the foremost of which was lack of education opportunities for their children and the prospect of their recruitment by the armed forces and groups. Many Somali youths told the independent expert about the lack of educational and livelihood opportunities in Somalia, which compelled many of their friends to join the opposition forces simply to keep them occupied and earn a living at the same time. 83. With some imaginative planning, it should be possible to arrange for the education of a large number of Somali children and youths, who are the prime targets for recruitment by armed forces and groups. For example, projects could be set up in Puntland, where the President supported the idea. Setting up similar projects in Somaliland should also be feasible. A crash programme for selected students to make up for the lost years of their education and provide them with vocational training could be a good beginning. Innovative thinking may also lead to the productive engagement of youths trained for income-generation activities. If nothing else, it would at least rekindle hope in a nation that has long forgotten it. 84. Also in the field of education, similar arrangements could be made either in Puntland or Somaliland for refresher courses and/or training of teachers, doctors, nurses and so on. Police training is already held in these two regions. Among other things, such activities would create the impression that better days are in sight. Creating positive impressions by itself should be a primary objective of the Government. VII. RECOMMENDATIONS A. For the Government 85. The most important task for the Government is to foster confidence in the minds of the people that better days are ahead and that it is committed to bringing them about. The demonstration of sincere will by the Government will be of primary importance in this regard. 86. With regard to the protection of basic human rights, including the right to life and safety, there must be a clear demonstration that the Government is taking all measures possible in this regard, including those necessary to ensure that its own security forces are not the source of violations. Human rights abuses are unacceptable whoever commits them, but the Government has special responsibilities to protect. An excellent beginning would be to dismiss officials and commanders who are known for their corruption, inefficiency and