MOGADISHU, Somalia – Tears of relief and stories of harrowing survival marked the arrival of 152 Somali citizens at Aden Adde International Airport today, following a successful repatriation mission led by the Federal Government of Somalia. The returnees, primarily young men and women who had been stranded in Libya while attempting to migrate to Europe, were welcomed home by government officials and reunited with their families after enduring significant hardships abroad.
Ahlan Abdikarim, a young woman among the returnees, spoke candidly to the media upon her arrival, her voice reflecting a mix of gratitude and lingering concern for those left behind. She expressed profound thanks to the Federal Government for facilitating their return, describing the flight home as a lifesaving intervention after months of uncertainty and suffering in North Africa.
“I am incredibly happy to be back in my motherland,” Ahlan stated. “The situation we faced was difficult, and I want to thank our government for not forgetting us and for making the effort to bring us back home safely.”
However, Ahlan also used the opportunity to shed light on the plight of hundreds of other Somali youths who remain trapped in Libya. She urged the government and international organizations to continue their rescue efforts, noting that many of her compatriots are still living in precarious conditions, often in detention centers or at the mercy of smugglers, desperately waiting for a chance to return.
The repatriation is part of an ongoing initiative by the Somali government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, to assist voluntary returnees stranded along dangerous migration routes. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean, but instability in the region has left thousands vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and indefinite detention.
Government officials present at the airport reaffirmed their commitment to assisting all stranded citizens. They emphasized that the state is working tirelessly to create better opportunities for youth within Somalia to discourage dangerous irregular migration.
Upon arrival, the returnees were processed by immigration officials and provided with immediate medical checks, food, and temporary accommodation assistance before being reintegrated with their families.
The emotional scenes at the airport served as a stark reminder of the perils of irregular migration and the critical need for sustained support for Somali youth, both at home and abroad.
