Thursday June 19, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – The Federal Government of Somalia on
Wednesday successfully repatriated nine Somali youth who were detained in
Algeria while attempting to migrate to Europe.

The group, comprised of five young men and four young women,
had been arrested while traveling along one of the most dangerous and
frequently used migration routes through North Africa.

Algeria has become a key transit point for Somali migrants
trying to reach Western Europe, often under perilous conditions.

Upon arrival in Mogadishu, the returnees expressed their
relief and gratitude for being brought back home, describing the hardships they
endured in Algerian detention centers.

“We faced very difficult conditions while in prison, but we
are happy to be home,” one of the returnees said, thanking the Somali
government for intervening.

Dr. Mohamed Hussein Gaas, Director General of the Department
of Diaspora and Somali Communities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated
that the government is committed to addressing the underlying causes of
irregular migration.

“There are still many Somali youth stranded or suffering in
migration routes abroad, and we are working to develop a strategy to bring them
back and reintegrate them into society,” he said.

In recent months, Somalia has seen a noticeable rise in the
number of youth attempting to migrate from cities such as Mogadishu, Garowe,
Las Anod, and Hargeisa. Many are driven by economic hardship, insecurity, and a
lack of opportunities at home.

Tragically, dozens of Somali migrants have lost their lives
in the past two months while crossing the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and
Spain in search of a better life.

The Somali government, in partnership with international
organizations, continues to urge young people to avoid illegal migration and
seek safer, legal alternatives while working on long-term solutions that
address youth unemployment and improve conditions at home.