Somalia Enlists Migrant Survivors to Warn Youth against Dangerous Journeys

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia is turning to young people who survived dangerous migration journeys to help discourage others from risking their lives on routes used by human smugglers, as authorities seek new ways to tackle irregular migration.

Nearly 100 young Somalis repatriated from countries including Libya gathered in Mogadishu under a government initiative aimed at using their experiences to warn others about the dangers of attempting to reach Europe and other destinations through irregular routes.

The programme, launched by the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRI), seeks to make returnees central to awareness campaigns rather than relying solely on government warnings.

Many young Somalis attempting to reach Europe travel through North Africa, particularly Libya, where migrants face risks including detention, exploitation, trafficking and dangerous Mediterranean Sea crossings.

For those who survive and return home, the government hopes their personal accounts will carry greater weight among young people considering similar journeys.

NCRI chairman Liban Abdi Egal met the returnees alongside other officials, listening to accounts of the hardships they encountered and discussing how their experiences could be used to discourage risky migration.

The participants also examined the circumstances that had driven them to leave Somalia, offering insights into the pressures influencing migration decisions.

The initiative comes as unemployment, limited economic opportunities and insecurity continue to push some young Somalis to seek better prospects abroad, often through irregular migration networks.

Authorities hope that sharing firsthand experiences of exploitation and life-threatening journeys will help potential migrants better understand the risks before making decisions that could endanger their lives.

During the meeting, participants agreed to establish a network bringing together young returnees to coordinate awareness campaigns across Somalia.

They also selected representatives to lead the initiative and maintain cooperation with the government agency.

Egal said similar consultations would continue with other returnees to expand the campaign and strengthen its reach.

The approach marks an effort to give migration survivors a direct role in prevention, allowing them to share practical lessons from their experiences with communities where young people may be considering irregular journeys.

However, awareness campaigns alone may face challenges in addressing the economic and social pressures that drive migration, particularly where access to employment and safe migration opportunities remains limited.

The programme aims to build a broader youth-led movement against dangerous migration, with survivors helping others understand the risks before embarking on uncertain journeys.