Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged to welcome back Somali refugees who have not integrated or secured residence permits in Germany. With over 60,000 Somalis currently residing in Germany, primarily as asylum seekers, and rising numbers of new applicants, this promise underscores Mohamud’s commitment to Somalia’s evolving security and stability. This year alone, approximately 5,800 Somalis have applied for asylum in Germany, a figure Mohamud hopes will eventually decline as Somalia becomes increasingly capable of providing a safe and supportive home for its citizens.

President Mohamud asserted that Somalia has progressed significantly in overcoming the violence that once defined it. “Our country has become safer; we are no longer a nation of civil war,” he stated, acknowledging that while threats from terrorist militias like al-Shabaab persist, their influence has been significantly diminished. Reflecting on the past, he dismissed the old image of Somalia portrayed in movies like Black Hawk Down, which depicted the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. He also addressed the nation’s association with piracy, emphasizing that these challenges are part of Somalia’s past.

With the withdrawal of African Union peacekeeping forces, Somalia has assumed full control of its security, further cementing its sovereignty. “We are the masters of the house again,” Mohamud declared, highlighting recent political reforms, such as shifting from a clan-based system to a “one citizen, one vote” electoral system. These changes are aimed at bolstering Somalia’s democratic foundations and ensuring that the government represents the diverse voices within the nation.

President Mohamud concluded by extending an open invitation to Somalis living abroad, particularly those in Germany. “Each of them has a home: Somalia. They can all go back there – no problem.” His message signals a broader vision for Somalia’s future, where Somali citizens, whether at home or abroad, can return to a stable and welcoming country, reconnecting with their roots as Somalia continues to rebuild and redefine itself.