Finland has decided to halt its long-standing bilateral aid program with Somalia, citing the country’s refusal to accept deportees.
Foreign Trade and Development Minister Ville Tavio announced the move on Wednesday, marking a sharp shift in a partnership that has spanned decades.
“It’s a matter of justice. One cannot stay in the country illegally without a residence permit,” Tavio declared, explaining the decision during a press conference. The suspension directly impacts Finland’s next four-year aid plan for Somalia, which had focused on education, health, and infrastructure.
The crux of the issue lies in Somalia’s reluctance to cooperate with Finland’s deportation policies, affecting a few hundred individuals without legal residency. Despite years of discussions, the situation remains unresolved. “Returns have been possible in the past, but they no longer work at an adequate level,” Tavio remarked.
The Finnish government left the Somali authorities out of the loop about the suspension, with the announcement first shared publicly. However, Tavio left the door open for resuming aid, stating, “If Somalia agrees to take back its own citizens, it would be a beneficial deal for them — support for their society in exchange for cooperation.”
Currently, Finland is home to over 20,000 citizens of Somali background, according to Helsingin Sanomat. Tavio dismissed concerns that cutting development aid might fuel migration, arguing that Finland’s contributions are too small to have any significant impact. “Migration trends are more influenced by broader European policies than by our development aid,” he added.
This suspension underscores growing global tensions over migration and deportation policies. For Finland, the decision reflects a push to align foreign aid with compliance on immigration enforcement.
