It was recently, just two months ago, when I came alone to the Samira restaurant in Mogadishu. I wanted to be alone after a hectic day, as always, with my phone, but at my next table, five young men were sitting and speaking loudly. I heard their discussions mainly about hopelessness in the country, a common sentiment among many young Somalis who see migration as their only hope for a better future. They talked about ways to go abroad, such as crossing the border to the US, applying for Canadian visas, and Europe; this was the only topic they had.

Something drove me to join them. I don’t know where I got the courage, but I requested to join them, introduced myself as Ahmed, and said, “I was listening to your discussions; it was super relevant to me. I also wanted to go abroad. Do you have a way?” They warmly welcomed me; one of them (a travel agent) told me about available options, and even the meeting was a bid farewell to Ahmed, my namesake. The travel agent helped him with his documents, and he was traveling to Madagascar tomorrow for his journey to France.

I paid all my attention to Ahmed and asked, “How do you intend to enter Madagascar?” He told me it would be simple. He showed me his ticket along with a letter of an appointment with the US embassy in Madagascar. “If asked by Madagascar’s immigration, I would say I have an appointment at the US embassy in Madagascar and show them this letter,” he explained. “They would let me enter the country, but I will mind my business. Other people are waiting for me there for the next trip.”

Ahmed also told me this was not his first attempt; he had recently been deported from Russia on his way to Europe and lost 7k USD. He said this would be his last attempt, hoping to recover the money his family had lost on this trip and the previous one.

 

I asked if any risk was associated with the journey; he was optimistic and hoped to reach Europe safely. Ahmed and his friends were happy, bid farewell, and took a group photo for memory. None of them would have missed such an opportunity. They would all have gone with him if they could afford the travel costs.

Ahmed and I exchanged contact numbers. I called him several times. Our last call was on 24 October 2024, and he told me he had arrived in Madagascar and that the organizers were waiting for the group to gather before continuing the trip. I asked again about safety, and he told me it would be safe as they planned to use commercial boats. When I asked if he would recommend others to follow in his footsteps, he responded, “Let me try first bro Ahmed.” I remember the Somali proverb he used : “Fardo la isku hayo la iskuma faansho,” This proverb reflected Ahmed’s determination to experience the reality of migration before encouraging others to follow.

 

Between 2007 and 2013, migration was common in Somalja, and news of boat capsizes in Mediterranean sea often came from BBC Somalia and VOA Somalia. At that time, yes security was worse, Al-Shabaab was stronger, and social media was limited, so many people didn’t understand the risks of migration.

Today, security is better, and social media has grown, but young Somalis are still dying at sea. It feels like nothing has truly changed for them, it is all about the root cause.

Take Ahmed as an example. In 2010, he was preteen, unaware of migration routes. Ten to fifteen years later, he grew up and took the same deadly path so many others have taken.

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Tonight, I came across news about two boats carrying Somali nationals that had capsized. I checked Ahmed’s number, but it was out of service.

 

The news hit me hard, and I couldn’t help but worry about Ahmed’s safety. I hope he is safe. I hope we will hear back from him. I hope he will start the new life he was dreaming of. I met him only once, but I know he was a family man if you ask me about him. How do I know? From his WhatsApp status. Every day, he posted photos of his sisters, brothers, and children in his family with captions about how much he missed them.

Many young Somalis are dying at sea, while others remain at home. But do we truly consider this country a home when we are all seeking better homes elsewhere? It is a question that needs to be answered and costs a lot!