Uber Driver Deported to Somalia Fears Jihadist Retaliation
Somali TikTok star, Mahad Mohamud, known to his fans as ‘Garyaqaan’ (judge), is back in Mogadishu after being deported from the United States last month.
The 36-year-old gained almost half a million followers on the platform with content defending his clan’s interests, a common theme in Somalia’s vibrant TikTok scene. However, he was labelled a “criminal illegal scumbag” by the White House-linked “Rapid Response 47”X account and falsely accused of involvement in the kidnapping of French officials.
Mr. Mohamud vehemently denies the allegations, stating he was not in Mogadishu at the time of the purported kidnapping and was never convicted. He believes his deportation was triggered after a rival TikToker disclosed his address to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“ICE told me they had two cases against me – one was entering the country illegally and the kidnapping of a French official,” he recounted. While the FBI investigated the kidnapping claim and cleared him, deportation still proceeded.
His journey to the US was arduous, beginning over a decade ago with a stay in South Africa until 2021, where he experienced a xenophobic attack. He then travelled to Brazil and crossed the Mexican border without documentation, leading to a month-long detention before being released with a work permit pending his asylum claim.
Minneapolis had offered some respite. Mr. Mohamud worked as an Uber driver and built a following on TikTok, earning income from gifts sent by supporters. However, his outspoken views defending the Somali government led to death threats from the al-Shabab militant group, a factor in his asylum application.
He describes a swift arrest in May, recalling, “Boom, they came for me.” Following six months in detention, including a period at Kandiyohi County Jail Prison in Minnesota, his asylum claim was rejected. He was put on a plane bound for deportation, enduring a complex route via Costa Rica, Senegal, and Kenya before finally arriving in Mogadishu.
Despite the traumatic experience, Mr. Mohamud has been reunited with his three children, after a decade apart. “I wouldn’t trade this moment for anything now… I haven’t seen them for 10 years,” he said. Nevertheless, he still lives in fear for his life due to ongoing threats from al-Shabab, necessitating heightened security.
His TikTok fame has resulted in a warm welcome from his clan and local politicians. He recognises that this online presence might open doors unavailable to other deported Somalis. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump’s stance on Somali immigrants and potential cuts to temporary protected status have sparked alarm within the community.
The BBC also spoke with other Somalis facing similar circumstances. Five young men in Minneapolis are now living in hiding, fearing ICE will follow up on their addresses. Another deportee revealed the financial and emotional toll of being forced to rebuild his life from scratch in Somalia, after spending $20,000 attempting to find a new life in America.
The situation highlights the precarious position of many Somali immigrants in the US and the challenges they face upon return to a country grappling with instability and limited opportunities.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
