It seems Finland is running a backlog of family reunification applications from Somalis.
From YLE.fi:
The Finnish Immigration Service is swamped with family reunification applications from Somalis. About 5,600 such applications are being processed, with the oldest dating from the start of 2009.
[…..]
The Finnish Immigration Service says that the handling of Somalis’ applications for a residence permit on the basis of family ties takes longer than average for such applications.
There are two reasons for the hold-ups, according to the authority. Firstly, the numbers of applications from Somalis have rapidly grown. Secondly, it is usually impossible to obtain documents proving a familial relationship from Somalia, which means that the interested parties have to be interviewed in person.
Most frequently, applicants are interviewed at the Finnish mission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Gee, can you tell us if you are related to so-and-so!—ed]
Two words for Finland: DNA TESTING!
For new readers: In 2008 the US State Department shut down the entire family reunification program for Africa mostly because they found that as many as 80% of the applications were fraudulent. Back in November of 2010 the State Dept. was about to re-open the program with some DNA testing required. I frankly don’t know what happened with it, they have probably quietly re-opened Somali family reunification to the US and are operating on a backlog as well.