Is Finnish Far-Right Politician Meri Rantanen Launching Her Local Election Campaign from Somalia? A Closer Look
In a move that has set tongues wagging and political analysts buzzing, Finland’s fiery Interior Minister and far-right party luminary, Meri Rantanen, made a journey to the heart of Somalia. According to a cryptic note on the Finnish Interior Ministry’s webpage, the purpose of Rantanen’s sojourn was to explore possible avenues for sending Somali asylum seekers back to their homeland. The timing of this visit raises a few eyebrows, suggesting it might be more of a political gambit than anything else—perhaps a slick move to stir up some election magic by targeting vulnerable paperless Somalis.
Rantanen’s official statement underlines Finland’s ambition to forge a robust partnership with Somalia—hopefully one that brings both nations a win-win scenario.
“Finland’s numero uno priority,” the minister declared, “is to put together a well-oiled mechanism for returning migrants and boosting cooperation with Somalia. Translation: the Finnish far-right aims to set up a conveyor belt for deporting Somali citizens camping as asylum seekers in Finland.” That’s the long and the short of it according to the ministry’s dispatch.
As a quid pro quo, the Finnish government is eyeing the resuscitation of its bilateral development engagements with Somalia, something that had hit pause courtesy of Ville Tavio, the foreign trade czar, and a fellow member of the Finns Party.
The minister was candid: their development support is dangling on the condition that Somalia plays ball when Finland sends out its retrieval requests.
While the murmurs of a potential partnership echoed across the internet, Somalia has maintained radio silence, save for an elusive mention on its Prime Minister’s Facebook page. Rantanen reportedly sat down with Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Internal Security Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, but what they discussed remains shrouded in mystery.
Back in Finland, the exact tally of those living in the shadows is hazy, though estimates by the Finnish Refugee Council pin the number somewhere between 3,000 to 6,000 souls. Of those, a tiny fraction—100 to 200—are said to be Somali nationals without papers.
Commentators say this relatively small figure hardly dents the Finnish social fabric, leading some to speculate that the Somali spotlight might be a page from the Finns Party’s playbook to whip up a furore ahead of the looming county and municipal elections come April 2025.
Riikka Purra, the Finns Party steward and Finance Minister, gave Rantanen’s maneuver a ringing endorsement on social media. She tweeted, “Minister Rantanen’s trip to Somalia was about drumming up returns. The kibosh on Somalia’s development cooperation hinges on the return deal.”
Adding a further nod was Sebastian Tynkkynen, an outspoken member of the European Parliament and part of the Finns a cappella chorus. Known for his potshots at immigrants, Tynkkynen hailed Rantanen’s strategy to chart a course for Somali deportations.
In Finland, political insiders frame Rantanen’s Somalia escapade as a chess move for electoral support—an overture to woo votes. The Finns Party has a penchant for sensational stories about immigrants, often painting them as a scourge on society and a drain on taxpayers by turning humanitarian discussions into political football.
Finland, recognized for its mediating prowess, has historically played a pivotal role in aiding Somalia with groundbreaking stabilization and development measures. From providing humanitarian aid to bolstering law enforcement and security capabilities alongside the international community, Finland has been instrumental in Somalia’s uphill battle against terrorism.
The implications of any deportation policies championed by Finland’s far-right party could ripple far beyond the border, as Somalia still grapples with complex security and integration challenges.
It’s important to remember that asylum seekers are individuals with unique stories—it’s tricky to lump them into neat categories. Most Somali asylum seekers in Finland, unverified reports suggest, are youthful individuals caught in the crosshairs of Al-Shabaab. Sending them back might place them directly under the militant group’s radar, potentially rekindling ties they hoped to sever.
For those Somalis bearing the weight of uncertain legal status in Finland, the Minister’s adventure overseas, coupled with the whispers of a deal in the works, has sparked a concoction of dread and unease.
Ali Hassan, a Somali refugee whose asylum application keeps getting stonewalled, opened up about his ordeal. During our conversation, Ali came across as a man on the brink, oscillating between weariness and a glimmer of hope.
“Better days are around the corner,” Ali reassured, nursing a restrained optimism. “Despite the rollercoaster of challenges, grace be to Allah, I found love here in Finland, got hitched, and now have three smiling faces that call me dad.” His voice, tinged with gratitude, painted a picture of resilience in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s capacity to assist returnees is a mixed bag. Financially strapped, the government has scant resources to facilitate reintegration. Yet the Somali diaspora’s vibrant role in supporting families back home through remittances forms a vital element of the local economy, with a staggering $1.3 billion sent home in 2018 alone.
All in all, Minister Meri Rantanen’s trip to Somalia echoes like a strategic pitch, predominantly skewed towards galvanizing electoral strength by spotlighting undocumented Somali refugees.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
