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Somali migration: surviving at sea
Idil Abdullahi Goley’s journey in search of a better life in Europe began in Somalia with a payment of $6,500 to local smugglers. It ended a month later when fellow migrants around her died at sea, one screaming and reciting the Islamic creed. She spoke to The Associated Press about the journey thousands of Somalis undertake every year as extremist attacks and climate shocks destroy hopes and livelihoods at home.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) – Idil Abdullahi Goley’s journey in search of a better life in Europe began in Somalia with a payment of $6,500 to local smugglers. It ended a month later when fellow migrants around her died at sea, one of them shouting and reciting the Islamic creed.
The deaths of 25 migrants last month in boats off the coast of the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar have exposed yet another route some in Africa are taking in dangerous bids for Europe.
Goley was one of 48 people rescued. She spoke to The Associated Press about the journey thousands of Somalis undertake every year as extremist attacks and climate shocks destroy hopes and livelihoods at home.
Some of the Somalis move to the Gulf States via the Red Sea and Yemen. Others, like Goley, are betting on a longer sea journey south, towards the French island region of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, the poorest area in the European Union.
According to French authorities, Somalis are among an estimated 100,000 migrants living in Mayotte. The migrants are part of communities affected after Cyclone Chido demolished entire neighborhoods on December 14.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that two million people migrated from Somalia in search of work in 2021, according to the most recent data available.
Goley, 28, heard about the smugglers from friends who had traveled the route and collected the $6,500 fee from her small tea shop business in the capital Mogadishu, and from her brother and mother. She hoped to reach Europe and pay them back. She left behind her three small children.
Her journey started with a flight from Mogadishu to the Kenyan capital Nairobi. They and others then took a bus to the port city of Mombasa, where they left in fishing boats for Mayotte, more than 600 miles (997 kilometers) away. They hoped to apply for asylum there.
After three days at sea, the group of about 70 migrants was transferred to smaller boats whose engines began to fail. The smugglers said they would repair the engines and left with them on another boat, leaving the migrants without water and food. They started catching fish and harvesting rainwater to survive.
It was almost cyclone season and the waves were choppy.
Goley said she tried to save the life of a baby whose mother was also on board, but she had a hard time.
“But she died right before my eyes. We couldn’t hold her body for long and had to throw it into the sea to prevent it from decomposing as more and more people were dying around us,” she said.
During 13 days of hunger, thirst and heat, Goley’s two friends also died. She held one on her lap as she passed by.
“The other screamed for help. I was unable to help her and she died shortly afterwards, screaming loudly while reciting the Shahada,” Goley said. “That is an image I will never forget, the suffering and helplessness we felt.”
She said the ordeal ended when a fishing boat appeared on the horizon and the survivors waved for help. They offered the fishermen $100 for their rescue and were taken to a sports facility in Nosy Be in northern Madagascar.
The migrants were repatriated by chartered plane in early December.
At home, Goley’s mother had feared the worst. Because she couldn’t eat, she had lost 20 kilos.
“When I got home, my mom couldn’t believe it until she heard my voice and saw me in person,” Goley said.
When she and the other survivors arrived in Mogadishu, the Somali president’s special envoy for refugee affairs expressed hope for their future and said the government would help.
“They assured me that they will never take the same risk again,” Maryan Yasin said.
But Goley said she plans to take another trip on the same route despite having nightmares about her ordeal. The hardships in Somalia are still the same, she said – and she paid the smuggler’s fee.
“Even if it led me to prison, I believe I will still find a better life than the one I have here,” she said.
Her mother, meanwhile, fears that she will never return this time.
Other survivors are indecisive as they grieve.
Ahmed Hussein Mahadalle, 26, had watched helplessly as his sister Hanan, 21, died. Nothing compares to the pain of it, he said.
His other sister, Haboon Hussein Mahadalle, expressed gratitude for her brother’s safe return, although he also plans to try again.
“Hanan was brave and vigilant. She met her fate with grace,” Haboon said through tears. “They say good people don’t last long, and my sister embodied all the qualities I can’t summarize.”
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