Mogadishu, SONNA – The Federal Government of Somalia has successfully evacuated over 30 Somali citizens from Libya, where they had been imprisoned under harsh and life-threatening conditions. The announcement was made by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Isaak Mohamud Mursal, who confirmed the group’s safe arrival in Mogadishu and revealed that approximately 60 more are expected to return in the coming days.
The returnees, most of whom had embarked on perilous journeys through irregular migration routes, were rescued as part of Somalia’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens and discourage unsafe migration. The Deputy Minister noted that the government’s priority is to prevent further loss of life and to offer protection to vulnerable populations exposed to exploitation and abuse abroad.
He highlighted that the evacuations are part of a broader national strategy aimed at curbing the surge in unsafe migration, which has claimed many Somali lives in recent years. This strategy includes awareness campaigns, regional cooperation, and intensified action against human trafficking networks.
In his statement, the Deputy Minister called on all segments of Somali society—families, communities, and civil society organizations—to join hands in protecting at-risk individuals and creating safer alternatives within the country.
“Ensuring the safety and dignity of our citizens is a shared national responsibility. We call on the public, government institutions, and humanitarian partners to work together to stop these dangerous journeys,” he added.
He further urged federal and state-level security forces to step up their operations against organized human smuggling rings that target young Somalis seeking to leave the country through illegal channels.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continue these lifesaving evacuation efforts and to strengthen Somalia’s role in regional and international frameworks aimed at protecting migrants and combating human trafficking.
