Mogadishu (AX) — In a move hailed as a remarkable humanitarian achievement, Somalia has brought back home 164 of its citizens from Libya, who arrived in Mogadishu on Thursday.
The returnees were greeted by government dignitaries, among them Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirizak Mohamed and Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Fartaag.
Orchestrated by Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, this homecoming required a joint effort with the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Out of those who returned, 55 headed to Hargeisa, while the rest, 109, landed in the bustling heart of the capital.
Minister Fiqi underscored the gravity of the mission, noting, “This crucial endeavor safeguards the lives and futures of our people.”
Driven by the quest for security and new beginnings, many fled Somalia, only to fall prey to human trafficking schemes known as “Magafe.” These syndicates lure desperate migrants with the deceit of a secure journey to the European shores.
Marooned in cities like Tripoli, these hapless souls endured horrific conditions at the mercy of traffickers, facing torture, ransom demands, and hunger pangs. Reports abound of the unspeakable violence engulfed in detention centers, where lives meant less than a dime.
Upon their return, the migrants shared nightmarish tales of confinement in Libya’s notorious prisons. “It’s a blessing to set foot again in Somalia. We look forward to rebuilding our lives here,” expressed a returnee, urging, “I caution Somali youth against venturing to places like Libya, where we encountered immense tribulations.”
Libya has unwittingly become a critical juncture for those fleeing austerity and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa, aiming for Europe. As of now, a staggering 700,000 plus migrants find themselves in Libyan limbo, compounded by turmoil since Gaddafi’s fall in 2011. The persistent chaos has amplified risks of abductions and exploitation.
Even with ongoing rescue endeavors, countless others remain ensnared. Reports relay that Libyan authorities recently freed about 200 individuals from traffickers, baring deep scars of abuse. Nonetheless, the trafficking web thrives, with migrants constantly on edge, bracing for violence.
Upon return, many struggle to weave a fresh start from the frayed threads of their lives.
The Somali government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) keep vigils, working to bring back citizens stuck in Libyan sands. Almost 100 Somali nationals found their way back to Mogadishu on October 24, 2023. More recently, around 200 migrants, many Somalis, were rescued from a trafficking gang in Kufra, Libya, in May 2024.
Some of these souls were held captive for up to seven months, enduring unspeakable conditions. Earlier the same month, no fewer than 107 migrants, including women and children, tasted freedom from captivity in southeast Libya. Reports pointed at severe maltreatment, with some migrants bearing torture marks and bullet wounds.
This ongoing saga has ignited greater global scrutiny, with human rights advocates making loud calls for immediate measures to shield vulnerable migrants ensnared in Libya’s detention hellholes.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
