Roots, Rights and Responsibilities: Place-making and Repatriation among Somalis in Denmark and Somaliland

Abstract

How do Somalis residing in Denmark and repatriated Somalis in Somaliland understand the questions of repatriation, home and belonging? Which livelihood strategies and strategies of mobility do they deploy? How are the places of exile and homeland experienced? And why do some Somalis in exile return to Somaliland, while others remain abroad? In this article we analyse how Somalis in Denmark and Somaliland understand and practice their own possible or actual voluntary repatriation. We do not pretend to offer the final answers to the questions above, but present some analytical reflections focusing on the interplay between abstract ideas of place, processes of place-making and very concrete livelihood strategies, often transnational in nature. Our main argument is that both questions of identity, emotions, and loyalties as well as questions of economy, responsibilities towards others and rights related to territorial entities, and citizenship are important for understanding the visions and practices involved in voluntary repatriation.

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