The Somali government, with support from international partners, has successfully repatriated 230 nationals stranded or detained in various African countries over the past five days, marking a significant step in addressing migration challenges.
On December 5, 161 Somalis were repatriated from Libya via a chartered flight, with most being young men and women under 30 who had endured months of hardship. On Saturday, 47 survivors of the Madagascar boat tragedy, aged between 17 and 50, were brought back to Somalia. This harrowing incident had claimed 28 lives in early November. Additionally, on Monday, 22 Somali nationals detained for irregular migration in Sudan’s Dongola and Gadaref facilities returned safely to Mogadishu after three months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, led by Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, emphasized the importance of these repatriations, highlighting Somalia’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and addressing irregular migration through collaboration with international partners. Fiqi called the operations a “significant milestone” in ensuring the safety and dignity of Somali nationals abroad.
These efforts were facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding from the European Union. The IOM noted that conditions in Libya, where over 1,500 Somali migrants are stranded, remain dire. Many face severe insecurity, a lack of food and shelter, and inadequate healthcare, necessitating urgent humanitarian assistance.
The survivors of the Madagascar boat disaster recounted harrowing experiences, including severe starvation and loss of hope at sea. Upon returning home, they expressed immense relief at being safe.
These repatriations underline Somalia’s increasing commitment to tackling the challenges of irregular migration and combating human trafficking, ensuring the well-being of its citizens globally.
