Saturday March 7, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s federal government on Friday welcomed home 12 citizens who had been detained in Sudan for years after attempting irregular migration before the outbreak of conflict there, officials said.
The group arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu following efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to secure their release from detention centers in Khartoum and Omdurman.
Officials from the ministry’s Department of Communities and Diaspora received the returnees at the airport, offering what they described as support and assistance as they reintegrate into society.
“The Federal Government of Somalia remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of Somali citizens abroad,” ministry officials said, adding that efforts would continue to assist nationals facing hardship in foreign countries.
The government expressed appreciation to the Sudanese authorities, the International Organization for Migration and the Somali Embassy in Sudan for facilitating the release and return of the detainees.
The Department of Communities and Diaspora urged Somali youth to avoid irregular migration, warning of the risks associated with smuggling routes that often expose migrants to detention, exploitation and life-threatening conditions.
Irregular migration remains a persistent challenge in Somalia, where economic hardship, insecurity and limited employment opportunities have driven many young people to seek routes toward North Africa and Europe, often through perilous and unlawful channels.
