Somalia repatriates 22 nationals detained in Sudan

The Somali government has successfully repatriated 22 citizens who had been detained in Sudan for attempting irregular migration.

The group, consisting of 17 young men and five young women, had been held for three months in detention facilities in Dongola and Gadaref.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, lauded the operation, describing it as a vital step toward addressing the challenges of irregular migration and protecting Somali nationals abroad.

"This milestone reflects our commitment to protecting our citizens and ensuring their safe return," he said on Monday.

The successful repatriation was achieved through coordinated efforts involving several officials and agencies.

Key contributors included the Presidential Special Envoy on Immigration, Ambassador Mariam Yassin; the Director of Diaspora Affairs, Ibrahim Mohamud Guure; Jowhar Barqab, Women's Chairperson of Banadir Regional Administration; and the Chairperson of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI), Safia Hassan Mohamed.

This operation follows another significant achievement just two days earlier when the Somali government repatriated 161 citizens stranded in Libya under the United Nations-backed Voluntary Humanitarian Return program. Of those, 74 were returned to Hargeisa in northwestern Somalia, and 87 arrived in Mogadishu.

The government has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding its citizens abroad while addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

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