Friday November 8, 2024
FILE - Somali Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Omar Ali Balcad participates in a government meeting in Mogadishu.
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government confirmed Thursday that a limited group of Somali nationals, all convicted of serious crimes in Germany, will be repatriated in the coming weeks, addressing public concern that the decision might affect the wider Somali refugee population in Germany.
Ali Omar (Ali Balcad), Somalia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, clarified that the repatriation agreement includes only 20 individuals who have completed prison terms for offenses such as murder and sexual assault. Omar said that this arrangement, coordinated with German authorities, does not extend to Germany's estimated 80,000 Somali refugees.
"These individuals have already served their sentences in Germany, and their cases are distinct from those of other Somali refugees," Omar told VOA Somali. "The decision to return them reflects our commitment to lawfully reintegrating convicted citizens without impacting the larger refugee community."
Upon their return, the Somali government will review each case under its judicial process to verify the individuals' Somali nationality and the legitimacy of the convictions. This step, Omar explained, is particularly important as some individuals from neighbouring countries have falsely claimed Somali nationality to gain asylum in Europe.
The development follows Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's recent diplomatic visit to Germany, where he discussed various bilateral issues with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, including the planned repatriation. The meeting's outcome, especially concerning the return of convicted nationals, has generated various reactions on social media. Some users expressed concern over the potential for what they viewed as wrong deportations, while others applauded the Somali government's commitment to accountability.