Despite criticism, Sweden’s cooperation with Somalia to increase forced deportations must continue, according to Migration Minister Johan Forssell (M).
He also wants to see similar arrangements with more countries.
– Money well invested, says the migration minister.
Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT / TT NEWS AGENCY
Until November this year, Somalia received 25 forcibly deported citizens from Sweden. Of them, 14 were deported because of crimes, according to figures from the Norwegian Police Agency. Forced deportations to Somalia have increased in the last two years, up from six in 2023 to 29 last year.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell emphasizes that the deportations continue, despite the media reporting on the so-called “Somalia money”.
– We have no plans to cancel, on the contrary, he tells TT.
– It gives good results and we would like to continue.
Swedish million
Both Ekot and DN have reviewed the money for Somalia. It is partly about 100 million in aid that has been redirected to get closer to Somalia’s government, and partly about five million kroner from the Ministry of Justice to pay three positions at the Somali government office.
According to Forssell, the support for the services goes via the UN agency IOM and the purpose is stated to be to “build capacity” in Somalia around the return.
But according to DN’s sources, it is rather about so-called “ghost workers”, people appointed to a position without performing the work and the money should have gone to three already highly paid top officials.
Want to expand
– That information is not correct. We have received reports from these services, what they are working on, various issues and results, says Forssell, without mentioning any details.
Somalia is one of the world’s most corrupt countries, do you see any risk with such a scheme?
– We have tightened the controls against corruption. We have zero tolerance, but we have no evidence that it would happen here.
– Should it arise, we would of course act.
The government wants to make more aid money conditional on countries accepting more deported citizens, Forssell emphasizes. Arrangements similar to the one with Somalia also already exist with several countries, according to the migration minister.
– I would like to find more such collaborations.
