Thursday 7,Nov,2024 {HMC}. Puntland’s Minister of Information, Eng. Mohamud Aydid Dirir, on Wednesday, accused Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of endorsing the deportation of Somali asylum seekers from Germany.
The minister also alleged that President Mohamud is complicit in displacing low-income families in Mogadishu to make land available for private development.
The accusations follow a statement made by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during President Mohamud’s visit to Berlin, where the leaders discussed the swift repatriation of Somali migrants without legal residency in Germany.
Scholz emphasized that deportations would primarily affect people with serious criminal records, noting, “This is also in the interest of the very large community of Somalis here in Germany, who are doing well and are well integrated.”
President Mohamud has not directly responded to Dirir’s claims, but his office highlighted the importance of deepening diplomatic relations with Germany, including addressing migration and security concerns.
Meanwhile, the comments have drawn backlash on Somali social media, with users accusing the Somali government of failing to secure the country and pointing to ongoing political divisions and persistent terror attacks as obstacles to safe repatriation.
Germany is home to an estimated 65,000 Somalis. According to Scholz, only a “small number” of them are at risk of deportation.
Source Hiiraan Online
