Ali Roba Foundation Peace Touranament Mandera County, January 2025
In January 2025, the Ali Roba Foundation (ARF) delivered a landmark county-wide soccer initiative, The ARF Peace Tournament, structured to progress from inter-ward matches, through sub-county qualifiers, into a highly anticipated county final. The tournament’s design served a clear social purpose: to harness football’s unifying energy to promote peace, nurture positive youth engagement, and strengthen social cohesion across Mandera.
From the outset, ARF ensured that participation was dignified and inclusive. Every registered team received full game kits, signaling equality on the field and underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to quality and fairness. To further motivate excellence and sustain local football ecosystems, ARF awarded cash prizes to the county champions and first runners-up, and conferred individual accolades for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Best Coach. These recognitions not only celebrated performance but also encouraged discipline, teamwork, and leadership, the very values that underpin a peaceful society.
Crucially, the tournament was more than a series of fixtures; it was a county-wide peace platform. Alongside matchdays, ARF convened community peace talks that brought together elders, youth, women’s leaders, religious figures, and local administrators to discuss the importance of stability, mutual respect, and non-violent conflict resolution. Facilitated dialogues highlighted practical steps communities can take to prevent tensions, de-escalate disputes, and resolve grievances through consensus rather than confrontation. By meeting people where they are, on touchlines, in ward centers, and at sub-county hubs, ARF translated the ideals of peace into everyday conversations and commitments.
The tournament’s greatest triumph was its ability to bring together people from different clans and tribes in shared purpose and celebration. Spectators cheered side-by-side, volunteers organized logistics together, and players competed with spirited sportsmanship, demonstrating that rivalry on the pitch can coexist with respect off it. Every pass, save, and goal carried a message: diversity is a strength, and unity is achievable when communities build collective experiences that transcend identity lines.
ARF’s investment in football during the holiday period also provided a constructive outlet for young people, reducing idleness and the risk of negative peer influence. Coaches and mentors identified emerging talent, encouraging continued training and opening pathways for future opportunities in sport. Local businesses benefited from increased foot traffic on matchdays, while schools and community grounds gained renewed visibility as safe, vibrant spaces.
Looking ahead, the ARF Peace Cup establishes a model for sustained peacebuilding through sport: plan inclusively, resource fairly, celebrate excellence, and embed dialogue at every stage. By pairing competition with conversation, and prizes with principles, the Foundation has shown that community sport can be both a spectacle and a strategy, one that elevates dignity, reinforces trust, and keeps the dream of a peaceful Mandera within reach.
The Ali Roba Foundation extends gratitude to all teams, officials, volunteers, and supporters who made the January 2025 edition a success. ARF remains steadfast in its mission to scale such initiatives across the county, ensuring that the values of teamwork, fairness, and respect continue to anchor Mandera’s journey toward lasting peace.