Friday November 29, 2024
Fathi Hussein, a 26-year-old Somali woman, was among those who tragically lost their lives when a boat capsized near Madagascar while en route to the French island of Mayotte. (Handout)
Mogadishu (HOL) — A harrowing journey to Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, claimed the life of 26-year-old Fathi Hussein, highlighting the deadly risks migrants face in pursuit of safety and opportunity. Fathi was among nearly two dozen Somali nationals who perished when two overcrowded boats carrying 73 people capsized off the coast of Madagascar earlier this month.
The vessels capsized near Nosy Be, a small island off northern Madagascar. Local fishermen and authorities rescued 48 people, but officials confirmed the death toll has risen to 25. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Survivors recounted desperate conditions during their two-week ordeal at sea. "They ate raw fish and drank seawater, but Fathi refused," her sister Samira told the BBC. "Before she died, she began hallucinating. They had no choice but to throw her body into the ocean."
Mayotte, located 190 miles northwest of Madagascar, has become a beacon for Somali migrants hoping to secure asylum and, ultimately, French citizenship. However, the dangerous journey often ends in tragedy. Frantz Celestin, regional director for the International Organization for Migration, described 2024 as "the deadliest year for migrants in the region."
Fathi's journey began in early November when she left Somalia for Mombasa, Kenya. From there, she boarded a fishing boat alongside other migrants, lured by smugglers' promises of a three-hour trip to Mayotte. The journey stretched to 14 days after smugglers abandoned the passengers at sea, removing the boat's engine and returning to Kenya.
Smugglers charge up to $6,000 per person for the journey from Mombasa to Mayotte, often paid in installments. Many migrants spend years saving for the fee, driven by the hope of a better life. Social media platforms like TikTok have amplified the crisis, with smugglers advertising seemingly safe passage aboard luxury boats. In reality, most migrants are crammed into fishing vessels known as kwassa, which are ill-suited for long-distance travel.
"The smugglers exploit their desperation," said Celestin. "This year alone, dozens have died attempting similar crossings."
A French territory since 1841, Mayotte has become a focal point in France's immigration debate. Between 1985 and 2017, the population quadrupled due to high birth rates and the influx of migrants, particularly from the nearby Comoros Islands. In February 2024, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin proposed revoking birthright citizenship on the island to curb migration, which has sparked controversy and human rights concerns.
In April 2023, France launched a large-scale operation involving 2,000 troops and police to expel undocumented migrants, demolish informal settlements, and address gang violence. While the operation drew criticism from activists and legal challenges in French courts, it highlighted the mounting pressures on Mayotte's infrastructure and social systems.
Khadar Mohamed, a Somali who reached Mayotte 11 months ago, described his journey as gruelling. "I stayed in a smuggler's house in Madagascar for 14 days before crossing rivers and the ocean," he said. Khadar fled Somalia to escape threats from Al-Shabaab. "I had no choice. Staying meant risking my life."
Fathi's family is left grappling with her death. "She hated the ocean," Samira said. "I don't understand why she made this decision. I wish she had told me her plans."
The Somali government has pledged to assist survivors and bring home the deceased. Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi confirmed the government is working with Madagascar to address the crisis. "We are committed to repatriating our citizens and ensuring justice for the victims," he said. Information Minister Daud Aweis announced that a Somali delegation would travel to Madagascar this week to investigate further.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service