This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
Published on July 29, 2019, the United Nations has reported a decline in Somali refugees returning to their homeland from the Dadaab camps in northern Kenya.
According to the UN, a total of 84,230 Somalis have taken part in the voluntary return programme since its inception five years ago. However, so far this year, fewer than 1,400 have gone back to Somalia under UN auspices.
The Dadaab refugee complex, which the Kenyan government is seeking to close for security reasons, has a total population of 210,472, representing a decline of only 84 persons over the past three months.
Kenyan officials have stated that Dadaab is the scene of al-Shabaab plotting and recruitment, which may be contributing to the decline in voluntary repatriation.
The UN refugee agency has noted that prior to the start of Somalia's election season last October, Somali refugees were able to return voluntarily to as many as 10 areas designated as safe. However, since last October, the UN agency has been able to assist returns to only two areas: Kismayo and Mogadishu.
Those refugees who agree to return to Somalia from Dadaab can currently do so only by air, due to military operations en route to Kismayo, Baidoa, and other major return areas.
Meanwhile, thousands of Somalis who took part in the voluntary repatriation programme have returned to Dadaab, likely due to threatened or actual violence and inability to find work in their homeland.
