MOGADISHU – In a significant policy shift, the Somali federal government has begun implementing a contentious repatriation plan involving the return of Somali citizens from abroad, including Europe and those detained in Libyan prisons and held by gangs.
This move represents a significant departure from Somalia’s longstanding reluctance to comply with European and American pressure for cooperation in the repatriation of Somali immigrants in Europe and the United States, largely due to fears of potential domestic backlash.
The initiative, formally titled the Committee to Manage, Coordinate, and Advise on the Issues of Somali Citizens Abroad and their Repatriation, was established in May by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.
According to official documents obtained by the Somali Standard, the seven-member committee began its work shortly thereafter.
The plan’s first major success was the return of dozens of Somali citizens from Libya, where they had been trapped in dire conditions for years, often held as slaves by various gangs.
This development was met with praise from both local and international communities, marking a significant humanitarian step forward.
However, the lack of clarity regarding the committee’s full mandate and work scope has sparked intense debate, particularly concerning the repatriation of Somalis seeking asylum in Europe and the United States.
Government officials have maintained a veil of secrecy over the committee’s overall operations, fueling speculation that the Libyan repatriation effort serves as a pretext for the repatriation asylum seekers in Western countries.
To the surprise and shock of many, those suspicions were indeed validated weeks later.
On July 9, 2024, under the Somali federal government’s coordination, five Somalis were forcibly returned from Finland, reportedly escorted by Finnish police officers.
The returnees were sent across Somalia: two to Mogadishu, two to Baidoa, and one to Isku-Shuban in northern Somalia.
DREAMS AND ANXIETY
The news of the government ‘s policy shift has left Somali asylum seekers in the diaspora concerned about their future.
Many of these asylum seekers had invested significant resources and have undertaken treacherous journeys in their pursuit of better lives in Europe or the U.S.
Despite their traumatic experiences, including time spent in notorious Libyan prisons and paying ransoms to escape captivity, many refugees expressed a preference for staying abroad rather than returning to Somalia, citing persistent insecurity, unemployment, and poverty at home.
“I would rather endure hardship in Europe than return to a place where my life is constantly at risk,” one Somali refugee in Germany lamented.
Meanwhile, the revelations over forced repatriation efforts involving the Somali government have drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that the Somali government is neglecting its duty to safeguard the rights of its citizens abroad.
“This decision will likely incite further tensions and resentment toward the government,” warned a leading Somali human rights activist.
Somali officials did not return to calls seeking comment
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