The European Union has implemented visa restrictions on Somali citizens, intensifying a dispute with Mogadishu regarding the return of undocumented Somalis living in Europe. The measures were approved by EU member states on June 26, 2026, following a report indicating Somalia's insufficient efforts to accept its nationals who have been denied residency.
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud responded by asserting that his government would accept its citizens but raised concerns about the legitimacy of some returnees. During an Independence Day event, he stated, "We haven’t rejected our people; they own this country. And we cannot reject them."
Mohamud highlighted that many individuals claiming to be Somali may not actually be from the country, citing instances where returnees did not speak the Somali language. He emphasized, "If they are Somali, then we’ll take them.
If they aren’t, we’ll help you find out where they are from, and you can send them there."
The ongoing migration crisis is rooted in decades of instability in Somalia, which has struggled to recover from the collapse of its government in 1991 and the subsequent civil war. The armed group al-Shabab has further complicated recovery efforts, prompting many young Somalis to attempt perilous journeys to Europe.
Magnus Brunner, the EU's migration commissioner, stated that countries of origin must fulfill their obligations regarding repatriation, warning of potential consequences for non-compliance. The new visa rules prohibit multiple-entry visas for Somalis and extend processing times from 15 to 45 days, serving as leverage for increased cooperation from Mogadishu.
Somalia joins a limited number of countries facing such restrictions, following similar measures against The Gambia in 2021 and Ethiopia in 2024. The EU's tightening migration policies coincide with a broader strategy to enhance deportation processes and establish return centers outside its borders.
