MOGADISHU — A total of 171 Somali migrants stranded in Libya were assisted to return home on Monday on a charter flight organized by the International Organization for Migration, according to the agency.
Several of the migrants, among them three minors, had become stranded in Libya after enduring dangerous travel conditions across multiple countries, only to encounter precarious living conditions, exploitation, and abuse by people smugglers. Separated from their families and with limited access to basic services, many found themselves in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and support for protection.
The repatriation operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia, in coordination with international partners, to assist citizens stranded abroad and address the risks posed by irregular migration.
A Pattern of Repatriations
This is not the first such operation. In April 2026, the Federal Government repatriated 174 Somali citizens from hazardous conditions in Libya, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Mohamed Ali welcoming the returnees at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport.
That operation followed bilateral talks in Libya led by Foreign Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali, through which authorities secured the freedom and safe passage of citizens who had experienced significant difficulties and exploitation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Diaspora Department managed the operation in collaboration with IOM, the European Union, and the Somali Embassy in Tripoli.
In July 2026, the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons provided immediate assistance to nearly 130 Somali nationals repatriated from Libya, where they had been held in detention centres and subjected to various hardships.
In September 2025, the federal government airlifted 184 Somali citizens who had been stranded in Libya, with many evacuees having been trapped for months, some detained in overcrowded facilities while others were left stranded after failed attempts to transit toward Europe].
The Abuse and Exploitation of Migrants
The experiences of Somali migrants in Libya have been well documented. In May 2025, dozens of Somali migrants were reported abandoned in Libya after being deserted by smugglers. Among the stranded was Nor Cadow from Baidoa, who spoke about the group’s worsening humanitarian situation. “We are suffering terribly. We have no food, shelter, or medical help,” he said.
Many migrants attempting to reach Europe become trapped in unsafe conditions, vulnerable to abuse, extortion, and violence. The exploitation is systematic. Migrants are often held in detention centers where they are forced to contact relatives and demand money. Those unable to pay are subjected to severe mistreatment, including beatings and deprivation of food.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 660,000 migrants have been tracked in Libya, where they are exposed to numerous risks, including smuggling, trafficking, kidnapping, abuse, detention and torture. Between January and March 2026 alone, 1,627 Somali migrants arrived in Libya through the Northern Route.
Reintegration and Support
Upon arrival in Mogadishu, returnees receive immediate assistance, including medical screening, emergency food rations, temporary shelter, and psychological support. The government is developing comprehensive reintegration initiatives to help these individuals successfully join the domestic workforce.
Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali has underscored the government’s determination to counter human trafficking networks and address the drivers of irregular migration, stressing that similar evacuations would continue as Mogadishu ramps up efforts to bring back all citizens stuck in dire conditions abroad.
The federal government has stated that protecting Somali citizens abroad remains a top priority, and continues to work with international partners including IOM and UNHCR to provide assistance to vulnerable Somali migrants and facilitate their safe return home.
Critical Note
The repatriation of 171 Somali migrants from Libya is a necessary humanitarian intervention, but it addresses a symptom rather than the cause. Each return flight represents lives saved from the abuse and exploitation that have become endemic in Libya’s detention system. The government’s coordination with international partners and its diplomatic engagement with Libyan authorities have made these operations possible, and the reintegration support offered to returnees is a critical component of any responsible repatriation effort.
Yet the repeated nature of these repatriations, with hundreds of Somalis returned in multiple operations over the past two years, points to a deeper problem. Young Somalis continue to embark on dangerous journeys through Libya and the Mediterranean despite the well-documented risks. The drivers of irregular migration—lack of economic opportunity, insecurity, and limited legal pathways abroad—remain largely unaddressed. Without significant investment in domestic employment, education, and economic development, particularly for young people, the flow of migrants will continue.
The government’s stated commitment to counter human trafficking networks is welcome, but enforcement has been limited. Traffickers continue to operate with impunity across the region, and the networks that exploit migrants remain largely intact. Addressing irregular migration requires not only rescue operations but also accountability for those who profit from human suffering and long-term solutions that give Somalis a reason to build their futures at home.
