A group of 174 young migrants returned to Somalia on Thursday, stepping off a plane from Libya carrying little more than the weight of what they had endured.
Many of them had left home in search of better opportunities, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of detention, abuse and uncertainty in Libya—a country that has become a perilous crossroads for African migrants trying to reach Europe.
“We suffered a lot,” one returnee said quietly upon arrival, describing months spent in overcrowded conditions with limited food and constant fear. Others spoke of exploitation by traffickers and the ever-present threat of violence.
At Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, families waited anxiously as the plane landed. Some wept as they recognized loved ones they had not heard from in months. For many, the return marked both an end to suffering—and the beginning of an uncertain road to rebuilding their lives.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali was among the officials who welcomed the group home. “Our priority is to ensure they receive the care and support they need,” he said, as medical teams and aid workers moved quickly to assist the arrivals.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the returnees were immediately provided with medical treatment, temporary shelter and psychosocial support. Plans are also underway to help them reintegrate into their communities—no easy task for many who return with trauma and few resources.
The repatriation effort, carried out with support from the International Organization for Migration and the European Union Delegation to Somalia, reflects a growing recognition of the human cost of irregular migration.
For years, Libya has served as a major transit point for migrants fleeing poverty, conflict and lack of opportunity. But for many, the journey ends not in Europe, but in detention centers or in the hands of traffickers.
Back home, Somali officials say they are trying to address the reasons so many young people feel compelled to leave in the first place. Yet for those who have returned, the focus is more immediate: recovery, reunion and the fragile hope of starting over.
