With dreams of finding a new life overshadowed by tragedy, Idil Abdullahi Goley's perilous migration from Somalia illuminates the grim realities many face seeking refuge and stability.
Goley, 28, embarked on her ambitious and dangerous bid to reach Europe with the hopes of offering her children—and herself—a brighter future. Starting her arduous voyage with $6,500 raised from her small tea shop business and borrowed from family, her path led her from Mogadishu to the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean.
Last month, the harrowing toll of her deserted boat echoed the dangers of Mediterranean migrations as more than 25 migrants succumbed to perilous conditions at sea. These tragedies highlight the desperate lengths individuals will go to escape extreme conditions like terrorism and climate disasters at home. According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 2 million people migrated from Somalia as of 2021, hoping to find work and safety.
After embarking on her adventure, Goley traveled by flight to Kenya's capital, Nairobi, then took a bus to Mombasa, where she boarded small fishing boats aiming for Mayotte, over 620 miles away. She hoped for asylum on this small island territory of France, distinguished as the poorest territory of the European Union, which hosts hundreds of thousands of migrants.
What was meant to be the start of promise quickly spiraled toward despair. Goley recounted the chilling moment when the group was moved to smaller boats after three days at sea, with engines failing and precious supplies running dry. "The smugglers said they would fix the engines and left with them on another boat, leaving the migrants drifting without water and food," she recounted.
Faced with hunger, thirst, and relentless waves, Goley and the others resorted to desperate measures to survive, fishing and collecting rainwater. But the situation turned grave as days passed, and the group's numbers dwindled. For Goley, witnessing the death of others was heartbreaking. "I tried to save the life of an infant whose mother was also on board but struggling. But she died right in front of me. We couldn't hold on to her body for long and had to throw it…" she recalled, her voice thick with sorrow. One heartbreaking image clung to her mind—her friend crying out for help before succumbing to despair, reciting the Muslim profession of faith, the Shahada.
After enduring 13 grueling days at sea, Goley and the few survivors finally attracted the attention of fishermen, whose timely rescue shifted the narrative from tragedy to survival. They were taken to Nosy Be, Madagascar, where, after being processed, Goley was repatriated back to Somalia.
Upon returning to Mogadishu, Goley found her mother devastated by fear for her daughter’s life, having lost significant weight worrying about her. "When I returned home, my mother couldn't believe it until she heard my voice and saw me in person," Goley said, her experience forging many emotional links back to the people she loved.
The Somali government's special envoy on refugee affairs, Maryan Yasin, expressed optimism for Goley and other survivors upon their return, emphasizing government support and promising pathways and solutions. Yasin stated, "They assured me they will never take the same risk again." This sentiment of hope, though, clashes sharply with the reality on the ground for many, including Goley, who harbors plans to repeat the attempt.
Goley admitted, "Even if it leads me to prison, I believe I'd still find a way to achieve something greater than my current life here." For Goley, hope morphs with desperation, each unsatisfied longing prompting reflections on her children's future.
Among the survivors, Ahmed Hussein Mahadalle witnessed his sister's last moments, emphasizing the grief such journeys imprint on families. "Nothing compares to the pain of it," he stated, embodying the heart-wrenching consequences of synchronization amid peril.
His sister, Haboon, expressed gratitude for her brother's return but couldn't escape the watchful shadows of loss. She mourned her other sister Hanan, encapsulating the bittersweet feedback loop of survival and loss. "They say good people don't stay long, and my sister embodied all the qualities I can't begin to summarize," she said, echoing the harsh reality faced by many families.
Goley’s story is one of survival amid suffering, shedding light on the trauma many endure to reach what they believe will be greener pastures. Yet as conditions like those present in Somalia remain unaddressed, those desperate enough will continue to risk everything to flee the circumstances they find themselves trapped within.
