Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
In a harrowing tale of survival and resilience, Somali migrant Idil Abdullahi Goley recounted her desperate attempt to reach Europe. Her journey, which ended in a tragic sea incident off Madagascar, sheds light on the dangerous routes migrants take to escape conflict and poverty in search of a better life.
Goley’s odyssey began in Somalia, where she raised $6,500 to pay smugglers. Funding her escape through her modest teashop business and family contributions, she left behind her three children in Mogadishu. Her destination was Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean, with hopes of reaching Europe to rebuild her life and repay her family.
Her journey took her from Mogadishu to Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, followed by a bus ride to Mombasa. From there, she boarded a fishing boat with 70 other migrants heading toward Mayotte, a dangerous 620-mile voyage.
Stranded at Sea and Facing Death
The migrants’ ordeal intensified after smugglers transferred them to smaller boats with failing engines. Promising to return with repairs, the smugglers abandoned them without food or water. Stranded for 13 days, the group relied on catching fish and collecting rainwater to survive.
Amid choppy waves and near-cyclone conditions, Goley witnessed unimaginable tragedies. She tried to save an infant whose mother was struggling, but the baby succumbed. Deprived of options, the group had to discard bodies into the sea to prevent decomposition.
Goley lost two close friends during the ordeal, one of whom died in her lap. The other cried out for help before passing, reciting the Shahada. Goley described the experience as an indelible image of suffering and helplessness.
A Rescue That Came Too Late for Many
On the 13th day, a fishing boat spotted the survivors waving for help. Offering $100 for their rescue, the migrants were taken to a sports facility in Nosy Be, northern Madagascar.
French authorities later repatriated the survivors, including Goley, by chartered plane. Upon her return to Mogadishu, she was reunited with her family, including her mother, who had feared the worst and lost significant weight during Goley’s absence.
Dreams Persist Despite Nightmares
Despite the trauma and haunting memories, Goley remains undeterred. She plans to attempt the same journey again, stating that even imprisonment abroad would offer better prospects than her current life in Somalia. She still carries the burden of her debt to the smugglers, which fuels her determination to try again.
Goley’s mother, however, fears her daughter may never return if she embarks on another dangerous journey. Other survivors share similar struggles. Ahmed Hussein Mahadalle, who lost his sister during the voyage, is torn between mourning her and planning his own renewed attempt.
The Broader Migrant Crisis
Goley’s story is a stark reminder of the hardships faced by Somali migrants. The International Organization for Migration estimates that two million people left Somalia in 2021 due to extremist violence and climate shocks.
Mayotte, one of the poorest territories in the European Union, is home to an estimated 100,000 migrants, including many Somalis. Recent disasters like Cyclone Chido, which devastated communities on December 14, have only worsened the living conditions for those fleeing hardship.
Government’s Pledge and Migrants’ Resolve
Maryan Yasin, Somalia’s special envoy on refugee affairs, expressed hope for the survivors’ futures, pledging government support to deter similar risks. Yet, many like Goley remain resolute in their determination to seek better lives elsewhere, even in the face of life-threatening danger.