By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, 23 April 2026 Somalia said 174 nationals were repatriated from Libya with the EU and the International Organization for Migration after months of detention in North Africa.
The group arrived at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport, where officials said arrangements were being made to transport them back to their home regions.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Nadaara said the returnees were part of an ongoing programme to assist Somali migrants stranded abroad.
“Those returned today are 174 people brought back from Libya. Fifteen were taken to Hargeisa, while the rest will be transported to their respective regions in the coming days,” he said.
Many of the returnees contacted their families shortly after arrival, some speaking to relatives for the first time in months.
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“Today, for the first time, I spoke to my mother… I also spoke to my father, and they are both well. I hope our government will support us,” said Ahmed Hassan, one of the returnees.
The European Union said the programme includes support to help returnees reintegrate into society.
“We provide a basic package that includes skills training and job support. We also offer medical care and psychological assistance to those who have gone through very difficult conditions,” the EU said in a statement.
Officials said Somalia plans to repatriate around 500 nationals this year, following the return of about 1,850 migrants last year from countries including Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Tunisia.
Somali authorities and international partners have stepped up efforts to assist migrants facing hardship abroad and to discourage dangerous migration routes.