Mogadishu / Stockholm — Somalia’s Prime Minister’s Office is facing criticism following allegations that it has played a role in facilitating the deportation of Somali citizens from Sweden, as Swedish authorities intensify efforts to enforce rejected asylum decisions.
The controversy centers on a repatriation arrangement between Sweden and Somalia that permits the forced return of Somali nationals whose asylum applications have been denied. Critics argue that Somali government institutions, including officials linked to the Prime Minister’s Office, have cooperated with Swedish authorities to accelerate the issuance of travel and identity documents required for deportations.
Swedish media reports have previously suggested that portions of development aid allocated to Somalia have been used to support administrative mechanisms connected to the deportation process. These revelations have raised concerns among human rights organizations and opposition politicians in Sweden, who question whether aid funds are being leveraged to advance migration enforcement goals.
Human rights advocates warn that Somalia’s ongoing insecurity, fragile governance structures, and limited capacity to protect returnees make forced deportations unsafe. They accuse the federal government of placing political considerations and financial cooperation above the welfare of Somali citizens who fled the country seeking safety abroad.
The Somali government has not issued an official response to the allegations.
However, sources close to the Prime Minister’s Office say cooperation with Sweden is strictly technical in nature, emphasizing that it does not amount to endorsing or encouraging the deportation of Somali nationals.
Sweden, for its part, has defended its return policy, noting that Somalia has accepted dozens of deportees in recent years, including individuals convicted of criminal offenses. Swedish officials have also indicated that future development assistance may be increasingly tied to partner countries’ willingness to receive citizens ordered to leave Sweden.
The issue has sparked debate within the Somali diaspora across Europe, with community organizations urging the government in Mogadishu to publicly oppose forced returns and advocate for the protection of its citizens abroad.
