By Asma Mohamud - Reporter
MOGADISHU – Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Monday said the federal government is ready to receive citizens returned from Europe, but stressed that nationality must be verified first.
Speaking at the launch of the Somali Diaspora Centre in Mogadishu, Barre said Somalia has never refused to receive its own citizens, but argued that any repatriation process should respect due process and ensure that those being returned are confirmed to be Somal
"Our people belong to this country—no one can deny them entry. But they deserve to have their rights respected, and the process of returning them must be conducted in a manner that is fair and satisfactory," Barre said.
The Prime Minister was commenting on European Union's decision to tighten visa procedures for Somali nationals due to what it described as Somalia's government's reluctance to take back its nationals deported from Europe.
Barre reiterated the position previously expressed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who called for the verification of individuals' nationality before they are returned to Somalia.
Related articles
He said the Somali government had communicated its position to the European Union, adding that he saw no justification for maintaining stricter visa measures against Somali citizens.
The prime minister also thanked countries that have hosted Somali refugees and migrants, saying Somali communities have made positive economic and social contributions wherever they have settled.
"Wherever our people go, they contribute rather than burden their host countries. They invest, create businesses and pay taxes," he said.
Last week, President Mohamud said Somalia was ready to receive its citizens who lack legal residency status in European countries, provided their nationality is verified.
The remarks come days after the Council of the European Union announced tighter visa procedures for Somali nationals following an assessment by the European Commission, which concluded that Somalia's cooperation on the readmission of its citizens had not yet reached a satisfactory level.