Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia on Thursday repatriated 174 young nationals from Libya, many of whom had endured detention, abuse and harsh living conditions, in a government-led effort to assist citizens stranded abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the operation is part of ongoing measures to support Somalis in distress and counter the risks posed by irregular migration and human trafficking networks.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali received the returnees at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, where officials said immediate steps were taken to address their humanitarian needs after what they described as prolonged hardship in Libya.
Upon arrival, the group was provided with medical care, temporary shelter and psychosocial support, with plans for longer-term reintegration assistance being coordinated through national programs.
The ministry said the repatriation reflects the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens overseas and tackling the underlying drivers of irregular migration by expanding opportunities at home.
The operation was led by the Department of Diaspora Affairs in coordination with the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Migration, and carried out with support from the International Organization for Migration, the European Union Delegation to Somalia and the Somali Embassy in Libya.
Libya remains a major transit point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe, where many face exploitation, detention and abuse at the hands of traffickers and armed groups.