Sweden Defends Continued Forced Deportations to Somalia Amid Funding Dispute

Stockholm—December 2025 (SNN News), Sweden has confirmed it will continue forcibly deporting Somali nationals and may expand similar arrangements with other countries, despite growing political controversy over Swedish funds linked to cooperation on returns.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell said the government has “no plans” to suspend cooperation with Somalia, arguing that the current approach has produced tangible results. Swedish police data cited by local media show that Somali authorities accepted 25 individuals forcibly removed from Sweden by November, including people deported following criminal convictions. The figures indicate a steady rise in forced removals compared to previous years.

Swedish officials say deportations depend on cooperation from countries of origin, particularly confirmation of nationality and acceptance of returnees. Without such coordination, removal orders cannot be enforced, leaving final legal decisions unresolved.

Stockholm also notes that it supports return and reintegration efforts through international partners, including the UN’s migration agency. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) describes its work as supporting “safe, dignified, and rights-based” returns, a framework Swedish authorities say complements enforcement measures.

Funding controversy intensifies

The political dispute centers on Swedish funding tied to the returns process, commonly referred to in domestic debate as “Somalia funds.” Swedish media reports have questioned payments made outside traditional aid channels, as well as the redirection of development funds toward cooperation frameworks involving Somali state institutions.

Opposition parties have called for greater transparency, arguing that the structure and destination of the funds remain unclear. Government ministers have denied any wrongdoing, stating that anti-corruption safeguards are in place and that Sweden has not formally tied development aid to deportation agreements.

In written responses to parliament, Swedish officials have argued that development cooperation can also serve broader foreign policy objectives, including improved migration management. They insist that Somalia’s obligation to accept its citizens is grounded in international norms rather than financial conditions.

Parliamentary scrutiny

The issue has now reached Sweden’s constitutional oversight committee, which is examining complaints alleging that more than 100 million kronor may have been used in connection with returns cooperation over a two-year period. Government representatives reject claims that funds were misused or diverted improperly, though detailed public reporting has not yet been released.

Concerns have been amplified by Somalia’s weak governance record. Transparency International ranked Somalia among the lowest countries globally for perceived corruption in 2024, a factor cited by critics demanding clearer documentation of financial transfers.

Impact on Somali communities

Members of the Somali diaspora in Sweden have expressed concern over the deportations, describing the cooperation as harmful to vulnerable individuals and families. Some accuse Somali authorities of facilitating removals by issuing documentation for returnees, a claim that Somali officials have not publicly addressed.

For Somalia, returns from Europe add pressure to already strained migration systems managing internal displacement and return flows from other regions. While international agencies emphasize humanitarian standards, Sweden’s policy prioritizes enforcement and deterrence — a tension that continues to fuel debate.

Forssell has indicated that Sweden may pursue similar cooperation models with other countries. As parliamentary scrutiny continues, the government faces mounting pressure to clarify how migration enforcement, development funding, and international partnerships intersect.