Ahmed Nuur Ibrahim, alias Somali, is a journalist who used to work for Radio Daljir in Bosaso, and as a local correspondent for Radio Ergo.
In May 2013 he fled, fearing that his life was in danger because of threats made to journalists. He embarked on a dangerous journey through Ethiopia, Sudan, Libya and Tunisia and eventually arrived in Malta.
In an interview with Radio Ergo, Ahmed spoke about his life in Malta and how he set up a radio to assist other migrants. He began by telling his story of leaving Somalia.
Ahmed: My worst moment was when I reached Libya which was in a bad state. Migrants found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They could be jailed or even killed. I was among those arrested in Libya, luckily I escaped and after much suffering, I reached the island of Malta on August 28, 2013. Together with the other migrants, I was taken to a screening centre for health checks. I was in that centre for five months. The centre was no better than a prison, life was difficult there. I was later accepted as a refugee after being able to prove that I was journalist. My identification documents as a journalist really helped me and that is how I was given refugee status.
Ergo: When they reach Malta, how are the migrants received and treated?
Ahmed: Actually, migrants are not received very well here. There are a lot of them who live in this country illegally because they were denied refugee status. They suffer a lot with no rights whatsoever.
Ergo: If you can estimate, how many Somali migrants live in Malta?
Ahmed: There are no official figures. Migrant statistics are generalized, but there are a lot of Africans, most of them Somalis. There are a few who get resettlement opportunities to America, Canada and Australia but the biggest number are living without hope in Malta.
Ergo: Tell us about the racial abuse you face in the hands of citizens of Malta?
Ahmed: Somalis are not only black but also Muslims. This makes them vulnerable to more racial abuse than others. Racial abuse is the order of the day here. Although the government of Malta is trying to minimize incidences of abuse targeting migrants, these efforts have so far been fruitless.
Ergo: Are there new Somali arrivals in Malta?
Ahmed: No. There have been no Somali arrivals so far this year. This is because Malta has stopped accepting new refugees claiming the country is too small and cannot cater for more refugees than are here now.
Ergo: Who helps migrants in the centres where they live?
Ahmed: The government of Malta gives them small stipends. They live in difficult conditions but they don’t have any alternative.
Ergo: What hopes do those Somalis denied refugee status have?
Ahmed: Actually I have seen several people contemplating going back home. But this country is an island surrounded by water. The only means of transport out is by sea or air which most of them cannot afford. As a result, some of the Somali migrants resorted to drug abuse. They do nothing productive. They are suffering for sure.
Ergo: When you were granted refugee status allowing you to live in Malta, what plans did you come up with?
Ahmed:I decided to continue my journalism career. Together with a group of other journalist-migrants, we formed the Association of African Journalists in Malta. We came up with an online radio show called the voice of African migrants in Malta.
Ergo: What made you start a radio and who helped you?
Ahmed: We wanted to assist the migrants suffering in this country because there was no source of information for the new arrivals. We also wanted to tell the world of the plight of those who are already there. We were assisted by a local NGO, Solidarity Overseas Service – Malta (SOS Malta). The NGO is supported by the European Union.
Ergo: How is the Radio now and how far has it gone?
Ahmed: It is going to broadcast in different languages including Somali which we have started with. I hope it will go far.
Ergo: What are your future plans?
Ahmed: My plan is to continue living here so that I can assist the Somalis and other African migrants in Malta. I hope to use my profession to their benefit. My future plan is to develop my life and career so I can extend this assistance to my people at large and my country Somalia.
