Berlin, Germany(Mogadishu24)-The Somali government has refuted claims that Somali migrants in Germany will face forced deportation, clarifying instead that any returns will be voluntary.

Somali Ambassador to Germany, Abdiasis Mohamud Mohamed, stated that although around 65,000 to 70,000 Somali nationals reside in Germany, deportation would only affect those who lose asylum rights and willingly choose to return.

“There is no forced repatriation,” Mohamed said. “For those who have lost asylum status and wish to come back, Somalia remains open to welcoming its citizens.”

This clarification follows a joint press conference in Berlin by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during which Scholz noted that repatriations would focus on serious criminal cases and would be conducted “efficiently.”

The meeting between President Mohamud and Chancellor Scholz, the first of its kind, addressed mutual cooperation and security issues in the Horn of Africa.

Scholz’s comments sparked concern among Somalis abroad, especially in Germany, with some expressing worry about the impact on their community’s welfare and integration.

Scholz emphasized that repatriation aligns with Germany’s interests in supporting well-integrated Somali communities, noting that only a small number are affected by these measures.