MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud received a warm welcome upon arriving in Berlin. Following an invitation, he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss strengthening relations, revitalizing vocational education, enhancing security, and expanding bilateral cooperation.
During his visit, President Mohamud will also address the Germany-Africa Investment Summit to advance Somalia’s growth and development.
In Berlin, Bild newspaper interviewed President Mohamud about Somali refugees in Germany and his government’s plans for them. He said any refugee without legal status in Germany could be sent back to Somalia, as the country is now at peace.
Over 60,000 Somalis are living in Germany, with many seeking asylum. This year alone, 5,800 have applied for asylum, as reported by Bild.
President Mohamud stated, “Any Somali refugee without legal status or who hasn’t integrated will be sent back. Somalia is now peaceful, except for some small battles with terrorists.”
“Somalia is at peace now,” he said. “We’re not in a civil war anymore. Yes, we still have to deal with groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS, but we’ve made real progress. We’re no longer the country of ‘Black Hawk Down.”
President Mohamud emphasized that Somalia should be a place of home for all its citizens, even those living in Germany. He also pointed out that every Somali has a place to call home, and there’s no problem with coming back to their homeland.
For many Somalis, getting to Germany wasn’t just about finding a new country—it was about survival. They were running from the violence in their homeland, where Al-Shabaab’s attacks and the scars of years of war are still felt. They thought Germany could offer them a chance at a safer, better life—away from the chaos they left behind in Somalia.
President Mohamud’s suggestion that refugees without legal status in Germany could be sent back to Somalia is likely to leave many Somali migrants feeling uneasy. While Somalia has made progress, security remains a big concern.
Many who fled violence find the idea of returning to a country still facing Al-Shabaab threats hard to accept. While Somalia has made some progress, the challenges persist. The president’s comments are likely to leave many migrants uncertain about their future.
