Somali nationals escaping Russia-Ukraine war stopped at Polish border 

Until now, the Ministry did not disclose the number of Somalis stuck on Ukraine’s border with other EU countries who are helpless as their country has no embassy in Poland to evacuate them.

News Keydmedia Online
27 February 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Dozens of Somali nationals fleeing the fighting in Ukraine are reportedly stranded on the Polish border after being denied entry to the country, according to some migrants.

The Somali citizens, mostly students rushed to the borders of neighboring countries as invading Russian troops pressed on with their march toward Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv on Saturday.

They walked many miles for three days, trying to escape the war and an uncertain future in Ukraine after the Russian invasion. The Somalis were singled out of Ukrainians and rejected to cross the border.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland declared its border open to fleeing Ukrainians, even for those without official documents, and dropped its requirement to show a negative COVID-19 test. The Somalis are not among those allowed to freely move into the country.

The Federal Government of Somalia said it has communicated with Ukraine’s neighboring countries and has requested assistance for safe passage, visa, and COVID restriction waivers, for Somali nationals.

In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia said most of Ukraine’s neighboring countries have responded positively. 

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Berlin and Brussels has been in contact with a large number of Somalis who are currently en route to Poland, and with others who have already arrived safely in Poland and Belgium.

Until now, the Ministry did not disclose the number of Somalis stuck on Ukraine’s border with other EU countries who are helpless as their country has no embassy in Poland to evacuate them.

The ongoing war in Ukraine affected hundreds of Somali university students. The citizens of other African countries were evacuated and relocated to nearby EU states for safety.  

KEYDMEDIA English