Escaping Desperation: Mogadishu's youth prepared for risky journey to Europe and America in 2024

Visits: 581
(Rating 0.0/5 Stars) Total Votes: 0
0 0
Share via Social Media

Escaping Desperation: Mogadishu's youth prepared for risky journey to Europe and America in 2024

MOGADISHU – In a startling revelation, a significant number of Mogadishu's youth are contemplating migration in 2024, opting for perilous journeys to Europe and America to escape worsening living conditions, unemployment, and insecurity.

Share

Escaping Desperation: Mogadishu's youth prepared for risky journey to Europe and America in 2024.

MOGADISHU – In a startling revelation, a significant number of Mogadishu's youth are contemplating migration in 2024, opting for perilous journeys to Europe and America to escape worsening living conditions, unemployment, and insecurity.

Among those sharing their perspectives with Kaab TV, Bajaj taxi drivers highlighted increased taxes and extortion as compelling reasons to leave their homeland.

"The increased taxation made it difficult to sustain my family. As a Bajaj driver, I don’t think I can continue to live in this country. If I can, I would have left today,” voiced Abdirahman Aden.

Citing challenges faced by the youth, including growing insecurity in Mogadishu, Mohamed Abdullahi Abukar expressed his decision to leave in 2024, stating, "Life has become hard.”

Young women, too, expressed desperation, with Asho Mohamed revealing unsuccessful attempts to secure a spot in the U.S Lottery, a U.S government-run Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.

"There is no place to stay. Despite being a university graduate, I do not have a job, and life has become unbearable,” said Asho, considering the perilous journey to the Mediterranean Sea as the only option to reach Europe.

Others voiced their preference for migrating to the U.S, citing hopes for a better life and safety.

University student Halima Hassan Mohamed, expressing discontent with the lack of opportunities despite education, remarked, "Leaving this country is the better option.”

She hadn’t attempted the U.S Lottery but expressed a desire to reach Spain, even through an illegal journey if necessary.

While many youth did not prioritize marriage, they acknowledged the possibility if the right partner came along.

The 2022 statistics revealed a stagnant unemployment rate of around 20.05 percent in Somalia, as researchers attribute the issue to corruption, tribalism, lack of skills, inadequate education, and a poor economy.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in power since May 2022, faced citizen dissatisfaction due to rampant corruption.

A Kaab TV commentator described the youth’s disappointment and desire to leave as "by design, not an accident,” suggesting that African leaders may rely on brain drain to consolidate power.

"I have said this before: African leaders rely on brain drain to consolidate their power. A less skilled and educated population means fewer people to question their authority. Somalis need to demand and start harassing politicians to do their job,” added the commentator.