“Return Deal with Germany Slammed: Somali President Accused of Trading Refugees for Personal Gain and Violating International Law”
The Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) and allied rights groups have condemned Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent agreement to accept Somali refugees and migrants back from Germany, amid allegations that his motivations are financially driven and that he has misled the public about the true nature of the deal. According to German media, in reference to the online reports (https://www.krone.at/3583200https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/somalischer-prasident-zu-besuch-in-berlin-ich-nehme-jeden-fluchtling-aus-somalia-zuruck-12651122.htmlhttps://www.bild.de/politik/inland/somalias-praesident-verspricht-ich-nehme-alle-migranten-zurueck-672a1202c88b2a01802900aa), President Mohamud’s statements conflict with documented reports on the arrangement with Germany, casting doubts over his transparency and intentions. German outlets, including Krone, Tagesspiegel, and Bild, have reported that the President has committed to accepting Somali refugees back into Somalia, allegedly in exchange for financial incentives, despite the unsafe conditions for returning individualseal has sparked a significant backlash, as CSHRD and other rights organizations argue that forced returns to Somalia contravene established international protections for refugees. The Coalition and human rights advocates reference several key international laws, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which enshrine the principle of non-refoulement, protecting refugees from being returned to places where they may face threats to their safety. Furthermore, Somalia’s fragile security environment and strained infrastructure, already challenged by internal displacement and resource scarcity, create serious concerns about the feasibility of reintegrating returnees.
Adding to the controversy, President Mohamud has been accused of pursuing personal financial gain through his dealings with Germany, with critics alleging that funds linked to this agreement could primarily benefit him and his family rather than supporting reintegration or improving public services. These accusations are compounded by reports that he has previously profited from selling public land, including the controversial relocation of public graveyards in Mogadishu for commercial sale to local businessmen. These actions are viewed by many as prioritizing profit over public welfare, casting doubt on the President’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance.
CSHRD and its allies stress that this proposed repatriation scheme disregards key international human rights protections, citing relevant laws and conventions as follows:
1. 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol
Article 33(1) prohibits returning refugees to territories where their lives or freedom may be threatened, a principle undermined by forced returns to conflict-ridden Somalia.
2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Somalia’s ratification of the ICCPR entails obligations to prevent returns to places where individuals could face torture or inhuman treatment. Given Somalia’s security issues, forced repatriations would likely violate this mandate.
3. Convention Against Torture (CAT)
Article 3 of CAT forbids returning individuals to states where they risk torture, applying to asylum seekers and refugees alike.
4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Article 14(1) of the UDHR affirms the right to seek asylum, a right undermined by policies that force individuals to return to unsafe regions.
5. UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Guidelines on International Protection
UNHCR guidelines call for “safe, dignified, and sustainable” refugee returns, a standard that Somalia is currently unable to meet given its ongoing conflict and instability.
These organizations argue that Somalia’s conditions make forced returns incompatible with international standards, warning that financial gains should not come at the cost of fundamental human rights. The Coalition calls for international oversight to ensure transparency and urges the Somali government to reconsider its stance on the deal, emphasizing that any refugee policies must prioritize human rights and safety, not personal profit.
HANAHR Advocacy Desk