By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU – A high-level delegation from Sweden, led by the country’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday, where it began a series of official meetings with senior officials of the Federal Government of Somalia.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment, following Sweden’s recent decision to begin deporting Somali nationals who were living in the country without legal residency status. The timing of the delegation’s arrival has drawn public attention and sparked debate both inside Somalia and among Somali communities abroad.
According to diplomatic and government sources, the talks in Mogadishu are expected to focus on a wide range of issues, including development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, security, trade, and migration. However, particular attention has been directed towards migration management and the return of undocumented migrants, an issue that has become increasingly contentious.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the deportations may be linked to a confidential agreement between the Swedish government and the Office of the Somali Prime Minister, aimed at strengthening cooperation on migration and repatriation. Neither the Swedish government nor Somali authorities have officially confirmed the existence or details of such an agreement.
Sources familiar with the discussions say the Swedish delegation is also engaging with Somali officials on long-term development priorities, humanitarian needs, and regional security challenges, as well as Sweden’s continued support for Somalia’s reconstruction and institutional development.
The developments have caused concern among sections of the Somali public, particularly within Somali diaspora communities in Europe, who fear the deportations could negatively affect the rights, safety, and future of Somali nationals currently living in Sweden.
So far, both the Federal Government of Somalia and the Swedish government have refrained from making detailed public statements regarding the alleged agreement or the scope of the deportations. Observers say the visit nonetheless reflects an effort by both sides to strengthen bilateral relations and engage in dialogue on politically sensitive issues, including migration, security, and humanitarian cooperation.
The outcome of the talks is expected to become clearer in the coming days, as meetings between the Swedish delegation and Somali officials continue.
