Mogadishu, Somalia – The Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia has firmly denied reports circulating on social media and in some foreign outlets alleging that the Federal Government of Somalia had reached a secret agreement with Sweden concerning the deportation of Somali asylum seekers.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office described the claims as “baseless and misleading,” stressing that no such agreement exists between Mogadishu and Stockholm. The government reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in all international engagements and reiterated that any bilateral discussions with partner nations are conducted through official diplomatic channels and in full accordance with international law.
“The Federal Government of Somalia has not entered into, nor has it discussed, any covert arrangement with the Government of Sweden regarding the return or deportation of Somali nationals,” the statement read.
It added that the government remains dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of all Somali citizens abroad and will continue to work with host nations to ensure fair treatment of asylum seekers.
The clarification comes after growing speculation online suggesting that Somali authorities had quietly agreed to accept mass deportations of failed asylum seekers from Sweden in exchange for financial or political concessions. These unverified claims triggered concern among members of the Somali diaspora in Europe.
Government officials emphasized that Somalia values its longstanding relations with Sweden, particularly in areas of development cooperation, education, and humanitarian assistance. However, they insisted that migration issues are addressed within established international frameworks and that no unilateral decisions are made outside official policy.
The statement concluded by urging the public and media outlets to verify information through credible government sources and avoid spreading unsubstantiated rumors that could damage diplomatic relations or cause public anxiety.
Sweden has not issued an official comment on the reports, but diplomatic observers note that discussions on migration and voluntary returns remain a sensitive issue between European states and African governments, especially amid rising anti-immigration sentiment in parts of Europe.