Somalia has rejected reports claiming it entered into a covert agreement with Sweden to receive Somali nationals facing deportation, calling the allegations politically motivated.
“The Federal Government of Somalia has no secret or conditional arrangement with any partner concerning the return of its nationals or the allocation of development assistance,” the statement read.
It added that engagements between both countries are conducted through formal diplomatic channels and are subject to cabinet oversight and institutional accountability.
The clarification comes amid reports that Sweden secretly struck a 2023 deal with Somalia, redirecting $9 million in aid to projects tied to the Prime Minister’s office in exchange for accepting deported nationals, raising concerns over aid transparency and coercive diplomacy.
Deportation Disputes Stir African Diplomatic Pushback
The controversy comes amid a series of deportation disputes between the US, some European nations and African governments, as migration policies tighten across the continent.
In recent months, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States have faced backlash over attempts to repatriate African migrants without clear bilateral frameworks or transparent legal safeguards.
Somalia, in particular, has resisted accepting deportees without formal agreements, citing sovereignty and safety concerns for returnees.
These tensions mirror broader frustration across African capitals. Countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Eritrea have publicly criticized Western deportation policies, arguing that they often disregard due process and the human rights of migrants.
For Sweden, which has been reviewing asylum rules and foreign aid allocations, such allegations carry political weight.
Deportation Politics and Shifting Western Ties
The debate over deportations is reshaping Africa’s relations with the West. Some countries, such as Ghana, have taken a different tack, cooperating more closely with the United States on migration and governance issues.
This collaboration is believed to have contributed to Washington’s recent decision to ease travel restrictions for Ghanaians, in contrast to the strained relations faced by others.
Somalia’s firm rejection of any “secret deal” reflects this changing tone, one in which African nations are asserting control over how migration, aid, and diplomacy intersect.
