Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urged Somali citizens living abroad to refrain from using foreign passports when visiting the Country.
Speaking during a government performance review forum in Mogadishu,President Hassan emphasized the importance of national identity and stated that being Somali transcends mere skin colour or language proficiency.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that it is now mandatory for everyone— including Somali citizens holding foreign passports—to secure a visa before entering Somalia.
“You cannot enter another country with a Somali passport without a visa. Similarly, a foreigner or a Somali citizen with a foreign passport cannot enter our country without a visa,” he stated.
The President clarified that holders of Somali passports do not need visas to enter Somalia, but those travelling on foreign passports must comply with the new regulations.
“A person with a foreign passport, whether Somali or otherwise, is treated the same,” he explained.
He continued: “Is there a Somali passport that allows you to go to any foreign country without a visa? The answer is no. Likewise, you cannot enter Somalia without a visa on a foreign passport.”
President’s remarks follow the launch of Somalia’s E-Visa program on September 1, which mandates that both foreigners and Somalis with foreign passports obtain visas before entering the country.
This initiative is part of Somalia’s broader push towards digitalization, with many public services now accessible online.
In his speech, President Mohamud also encouraged all Somalis to acquire their national ID cards, reinforcing the idea that national identity is vital for unity.
“Our identity is not just in our language or colour; it is in our shared history and future,” he asserted.
