Wednesday November 20, 2024
Finland's Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Tavio of the Finns Party. Image: Jorma Vihtonen / Yle
HELSINKI, Finland (HOL) — Finland has suspended its bilateral development cooperation programme with Somalia, citing insufficient progress in repatriation agreements for Somali nationals living in Finland without legal residency. The announcement was made Wednesday by Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.
“The suspension means that no new funding decisions will be made until concrete progress has been made in repatriation cooperation with Somalia,” Tavio said during a press conference.
The suspension affects future funding decisions, freezing an annual allocation of €8–€9 million for Somalia’s bilateral development programme starting in 2025. However, ongoing projects will continue as planned, and humanitarian aid, support for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and private-sector initiatives remain unaffected.
Finland’s decision mirrors its broader migration policy, which ties development aid to recipient countries’ cooperation in facilitating the return of their nationals living abroad without legal status. “States must naturally strive to ensure that all those illegally in their country are returned when that can be done safely,” Tavio added.
Finland’s development cooperation with Somalia has historically focused on state-building, crisis management, and enhancing women’s sexual and reproductive health rights. Between 2021 and 2024, Finland allocated €54 million to Somalia through its country strategy.
Somalia has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue over repatriation but has yet to meet Finland’s expectations. The two nations have long-standing ties, with Somalia being a key partner in Finland’s development cooperation initiatives, including crisis management and mediation efforts.
As of 2022, approximately 24,365 individuals of Somali descent lived in Finland, making it the country’s largest African-origin group. Among them, some lack legal residency, prompting Finland to push for repatriation agreements with Somalia. Finnish officials have not disclosed the exact number of Somali nationals affected by the current policy.
The European Union has also entered the fray, holding bilateral and regional discussions with Somalia on migration management. Finnish officials noted that dialogue with Somalia would continue, aiming for a resolution that enables the resumption of development cooperation.
Finland’s move illustrates a growing trend among donor nations to link development aid to migration cooperation.
Germany and Somalia have recently agreed to expedite the deportation of Somali nationals without legal residency in Germany, focusing primarily on those convicted of serious crimes.
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced the agreement following talks in Berlin two weeks ago. Scholz stressed that the measure would apply to a “small number” of undocumented Somalis among the 65,000 living in Germany.
President Mohamud supported voluntary returns over forced deportations, stating that Somalia would welcome returnees and provide opportunities for reintegration.
The agreement follows the EU’s recent proposal to impose stricter visa rules on Somalia to encourage compliance with readmission demands. These measures include eliminating multiple-entry visas and increasing application fees, adding pressure on Somali authorities.
Italy has also suspended the issuance of Schengen visas fro Somalis.
Frontex data indicates that Somali nationals accounted for the highest number of irregular crossings at EU borders in 2024
Critics argue that such conditions risk undermining long-term development goals and humanitarian commitments. Similar migration deals in Africa, such as those with Gambia and Morocco, have faced criticism for their limited success in addressing underlying migration drivers. However, proponents contend that these policies encourage accountability and better governance in recipient countries.
For Somalia, the freeze in Danish bilateral aid could impact its ability to fund initiatives while navigating domestic and international pressures related to migration.
Finland and Somalia have maintained diplomatic ties since 1971, though relations were re-established in 2013 following Somalia’s decades-long conflict. Cooperation between the two countries spans various sectors, including crisis management, mediation, and development. Despite the suspension, Finnish officials emphasized that bilateral relations remain strong and that dialogue on repatriation will continue.