YEMEN-HORN OF AFRICA: African arrivals in 2009 up 55 percent

[Jacaylbaro]

SANAA, 17 January 2010 (IRIN) - The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) received 77,802 new arrivals from the Horn of Africa in 2009, a 55 percent increase over 2008 and the first time Somalis were not the majority nationality, the agency's external relations officer Rocco Nuri told IRIN in Sanaa on 16 January.

 

The biggest change over 2008, he said, was that the number of Ethiopians making the perilous boat journey across the Gulf of Aden more than doubled to 44,814, while 32,988 Somalis reached Yemen's shores.

 

"There are various push factors behind the increasing number of Ethiopians, such as conflict, famine, drought and lack of job opportunities," Nuri said.

 

He added that the global financial crisis and subsequent rise in commodity prices "also played a role in pushing more people to leave their countries in search of better opportunities".

 

Over 700,000 immigrants

 

There are more than 700,000 African immigrants in Yemen, the majority of whom are Somalis, deputy foreign minister Ali Muthan told a symposium in Sanaa on 12 January at the launch of a new initiative entitled 'Supporting Yemeni Government and Civil Society to Meet Migration Challenges'.

 

He said that "out of the total number of African immigrants in Yemen, only 200,000 have refugee status".

 

"The government has made tireless efforts to reduce the influx of Africans into its territory through contributing to enhancing stability and security in Somaliland," Muthan said.

 

According to UNHCR, all Somalis arriving in Yemen are granted prima facie refugee status while non-Somalis wanting to claim asylum are required to apply at a UNHCR office.

 

Hazardous journey

 

For those escaping war, violence and persecution, the hazardous journey to East African ports and then across the Gulf of Aden in the hands of ruthless people smugglers only adds to their suffering, according to UNHCR officials.

 

"They walk sometimes for days or travel in risky conditions prior to reaching one of the main departure points in Somalia and Djibouti. Once a deal with smugglers is made, they are put on over-packed, rickety boats and are likely to be subjected to psychological and physical violence at the hands of smugglers, as well as being left with no water and food for days under a blistering sun," Nuri told IRIN.

 

He added that smugglers often beat passengers to prevent them from moving and putting their small boats at risk of capsizing. Sometimes people were forced to jump overboard. "When a boat capsizes, many drown and the likelihood of finding the missing alive is very low," he said.

 

According to UNHCR, at least 309 people drowned or did not survive the trip in 2009. However, this was less than half the 590 that died in 2008.

[Jacaylbaro]

"The government has made tireless efforts to reduce the influx of Africans into its territory through contributing to enhancing stability and security in Somaliland," Muthan said.

Hmmmmm ,,, Interesting

[Thankful]

It is obvious that Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Muthan see's Somali land as Somalia, there is no difference to him and the government he represents.

[Jacaylbaro]

U can't speak for him ,,,,,,,,

[Thankful]

"The government has made tireless efforts to reduce the influx of Africans into its territory through contributing to enhancing stability and security in Somaliland," Muthan said.

 

How would enhancing stability and security in NW Somalia help in stoping the influx of Africans? Unless the stability and security there is not as good as your media makes it out to be and their is a "influx" of African's leaving your enclave?? Is their a stability issue?

[Jacaylbaro]

That is what you don't get it dee ,,,,, but I always say supporting Somaliland is the key to stability ,,,,,,

 

Now go and hit the wall with your head 292 times ,,,

[Thankful]

I guess Riyaale and his admin in NW Somalia are not as innocent as they act. I never knew he had his fingers in human smuggling.

[MoonLight1]

Now go and hit the wall with your head 292 times

JB why 292? that too much for a small head.

[Cawaale]

Originally posted by Jacaylbaro:

quote: "The government has made tireless efforts to reduce the influx of Africans into its territory through contributing to enhancing stability and security in Somaliland," Muthan said.

Hmmmmm ,,, Interesting

What does African immigrants has to do with boosting Somali land's stability. and how did they enhance the Somaliland's stability, hope not through sending the infamous stimulants "Khat".

 

aha. i see, perhaps he is referring to the Somali-land as in "Dhulka Soomaalida" for Somalis being majority of the immigrants.

[Thankful]

Cawaale you are right, because it is common sense. If you have a problem with human trafficking you would enhance the security and stability of the country that they are coming from. It futher proof that Somali land is the same in their eyes. Same reason why Somalia has an embassy and ambassodor in Mogadishu and none in NW Somalia.

 

MoonLight1,

 

Go to the jokes section and leave the politics to adults!

[Jacaylbaro]

Originally posted by MoonLight1:

quote: Now go and hit the wall with your head 292 times

JB why 292? that too much for a small head.

Just to make sure there is nothing left for him ,,,