Reflecting on Human Rights, Migration, and the Climate Crisis
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MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) is thrilled to celebrate the successful completion of the 2025 Symposium, expertly organized by the Medico International Foundation. It was an honor for us to engage in this captivating event held in Frankfurt, Germany, on the 8th and 9th of May, 2025.
At the heart of this symposium was an evocative theme: “About the Disappearance of a World.” This gathering served as a call to action, inviting aid organizations, human rights advocates, and media professionals to unravel the complexities of war, natural disasters, migration, and the climate crisis. It was a time to reflect on our role as journalists and the urgent need for advocacy in addressing such compelling challenges.
The SJS Secretary-General, Abdalle Mumin, graced the panel as a seasoned voice emphasizing that the climate crisis is far more than an environmental issue; it is a reflection of historical and persistent global power imbalances. He painted a poignant picture by contrasting the response to the 2021 floods in Germany—where over 180 lives were lost and billions of dollars were swiftly mobilized—with the stark reality of Somalia’s 2022 drought that resulted in the tragic deaths of 43,000 people, mainly children. It was a clarion call for equitable attention to crises worldwide.
“Yet climate-linked migration is often framed as a security threat in Europe and beyond,” Mr. Mumin remarked. “This often justifies walls, detention, and militarization, rather than addressing the root causes.”
Somalia stands among the nations hardest hit by climate change, witnessing widespread displacement as livelihoods are washed away by floods or withered by droughts. Vulnerable groups, especially women and children, bear the brunt of these changes.
Since 2022, the SJS has partnered with Medico International to train over 60 local journalists, equipping them to report insightfully on climate change and champion climate justice. This endeavor reaches deep into communities directly affected by natural calamities in southern and central Somalia, striving to amplify their voices.
Even within our ranks, journalists are not immune, themselves victims of recurrent droughts, floods, and the ever-present conflicts that complicate their noble pursuit of truth.
Our collaboration with Medico International goes beyond media circles. It has succeeded in bringing together local authorities, community leaders, and human rights defenders in search of tangible solutions to these persistent issues.
“Journalists play a critical role in shaping climate policy,” Mr. Mumin continued, “raising awareness among local communities—including displaced persons—empowering them to develop strategies for mitigation and adaptation. When empowered, the media influences public opinion significantly, and the way climate issues are reported has a direct impact on the discourse and the solutions offered to affected communities.”
The Frankfurt symposium was also a platform for addressing major concerns, like budget cuts in climate action and the worsening security approaches to climate-induced migration. But amidst these challenges, it sparked a renewed call for global solidarity, reminding us that hope must never be extinguished.
“I believe our greatest task is to ask ourselves how we can be better humans—to each other, to our communities, to those forced to flee, and to our disappearing world,” Mr. Mumin added poignantly. “In a time where rising seas erase coastlines, where families are displaced by conflict and climate, and where walls are built faster than bridges—it’s easy to feel hopeless. But journalists can, and must, carry this responsibility effectively.”
In closing, Mr. Mumin moved the audience by reciting a verse from a cherished song by the late, revered Somali singer, Luul Jeylani. It was a lyrical reminder, over three decades old, intertwining themes of love, sustenance, and our shared humanity:
‘A man who plants sorghum in a pit, will reap it when the rains fall, he will not lose it.
It is only right to appreciate each other. The favor you showed me, I’ve cherished with.
Is it fair for me to cut ties with you?’
Our heartfelt thanks go to Medico International for orchestrating such an impactful symposium. We deeply appreciate the warmth and rich exchanges with fellow journalists, academics, NGO leaders, and solidarity groups during this unforgettable event in Frankfurt.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
