Diaspora returnees are growing increasingly visible in Somalia. Their increasing presence is prompting numerous debates on the issue of return and how to maximize the potential of the ‘diaspora resource’ both in Somalia and beyond. Unless widespread conflict re-emerges in Somalia, the diaspora will continue to return to their country of origin. Indeed, with sustained peace throughout the country the rate of return would be expected to increase.
The degree to which the diaspora are able to reintegrate into Somali society will ultimately define their contribution to its development. This requires a willingness on behalf of the diaspora to desegregate and pro-actively engage with the non-diaspora. It also requires the non-diaspora to embrace the return of family and friends that left Somalia during the prolonged conflict.
In this briefing Maimuna Mohamud, a researcher with the Heritage Institute, looks at the opportunities and challenges associated with diaspora return, taking as a case study Somalis returning from the United States and Norway.
Download the full Policy Briefing (PDF, 160KB)
Qurba-joogta Soomaaliya kusoo laabtay waa kuwa aad uga muuqda dalka. Soo laabashadoodu waxay dhalisay dood ku saabsan qurba-joogta iyo sida uu dalku uga faa’iideysan karo ‘hantida’ ay lasoo laabteen. Haddii aanay colaad baahsan dib ugu soo laaban gayiga Soomaalida, soo noqoshada qurba-joogtu way sii socon doontaa. Marka la eego xasilloonida sii kordheysa ee dacallada dalka, waxaa la oddorosi karaa in soo laabashada qurba-joogtu ay korodho.
Kaalinta ay qurba-joogtu ka qaadato dibu dhiska dalka wuxuu ku xirnaan doonaan sida ay ugu milmaan guri-joogta. Tani waxay u baahnaan doontaa in qurba-joogtu aysan iska soocin guri-joogta, si qumaati ahna ula shaqeeyaan. Sidoo kale, waxaa lagama maarmaan ah in Soomaalida aan dalka ka bixin ay soo dhaweeyaan qurba-joogta soo laabaneysa ee dalkooda ka irdhoobay xilligii colaadda.
Qoraalkan, Maymuuna Maxamuud. oo ah cilmi bare ka tirsan Machadka Heritage, ayaa waxa ay eegaysaa fursadaha iyo caqabadaha ku harreeraysan soo noqoshada qorbe-joogta Soomaaliyeed – iyada oo si gooni ah u eegaysa Soomaalida ka soo noqotay Maraykanka iyo Norway.
2 Comments
Informative piece, this is much needed study on the Somali diaspora and their interaction with ‘home based’ Somalis. Apologies for being pedantic about this but I feel the outcome of this briefing would change dramatically if a holistic research approach was adopted. There are a number of evident assumptions in the briefing –diaspora is not clearly defined e.g. membership? Research methodology not outlined – who participated in the focus group and interviews e.g. age group, gender and clan affiliation? I don’t mean to undermine such an informative document but I think a deeper analysis is necessary to understand such a complex topic.
I wish we were all like Mohamed Omar, see how politely and sensitively he is correcting other fellow Somalis while respecting and appreciating their work. This is clearly the difference between education and ignorance. You are right Mohamed I found this paper quite interesting and informative too, but similarly I thought it did not follow the general research steps such as
Identification of research problem
Literature review
Specifying the purpose of research
Determine specific research questions or hypotheses
Data collection
Analyzing and interpreting the data
Reporting and evaluating research
Communicating the research findings and, possibly, recommendations
I understand that the paper is termed as a policy briefing which is fine because that is exactly how policy briefings from governments and organisations lay out, but if research is involved then it has reflect the research method taken.
I thought I might point out this minor issue too.
Thanks