Definitely Not the Opera·DNTO

Yahya Samatar: from humanitarian worker to refugee

A year and a half ago, Yahya Samatar dared to do activist work in his home country of Somalia - fighting against corruption, speaking out against female genital mutilation, and pushing for democracy.

A year and a half ago, Yahya Samatar dared to do activist work in his home country of Somalia - fighting against corruption, speaking out against female genital mutilation, and pushing for democracy. But his work put him in the crosshairs of al-Shabaab, a militant group linked to al-Qaeda. Fearing for his life, he paid smugglers to help him flee the country.

Follow his journey in the photo gallery above.