Somalia will recognise only citizens with national identification cards once the ongoing programme to issue the documents ends, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said.
The country rolled out biometric national identification cards in September 2023 and is targeting to register at least 15 million Somalis, including children, by 2026.
President Mohamud warned that those who miss the deadline would not be recorgnised.
“Anyone who fails to register for the Somali ID within the set timelines shall not be considered a Somali citizen,” he said on Thursday.
In pointed remarks, the president said formalised identification was now “the cornerstone of Somali belonging.”
“It is through identification (card) that one becomes Somali, not through appearance or simply speaking the Somali language,” he said on Thursday.
“The best way to keep our country and our citizens safe is to have a Somali identity card.”
Illegal passports
Somalia operated without a centralised identification system for more than 30 years following the collapse of President Siad Barre’s government in January 1991.
In that span of time, financial transactions, government services and even law enforcement relied on mutual trust, clan networks or foreign passports in the absence of official identity.
Since July, citizens have been required to present national IDs before accessing banking services. Domestic flights also require travellers to produce a valid ID.
President Mahmoud made the remarks at an event in the capital, Mogadishu, that marked three years of his administration. Government ministries showcased achievements in security, politics, the economy and social services.
The biometric IDs, he added, would curb fraudulent passports, a problem he described as rampant, with nearly 10 million Somali passports in circulation, many acquired illegally.
Diaspora and dual nationality
He clarified that citizens traveling with Somali passports will not need visas to enter the country. But those using foreign passports will be treated as foreign nationals and must apply for visas, he said.
Somalia recognizes dual nationality, but the President urged Somalis living abroad to acquire and use the country’s passports when returning home to enjoy full rights as citizens.
“I have been hearing many young people complaining and saying, ‘I am Somali, but when I came to the country, the visa fee was imposed on me.’ Were you carrying a Somali passport when you came to the country? Did you enter with it?”
“This is Somalia and it has a Somali passport. Come with your Somali passport and no one will ask you for visa. Why not take the Somali passport? Why not be proud of it?” he posed, urging embassies abroad to assist the diaspora communities to obtain the document.
“The era of being in Somalia without an identity is over,” he declared to applause. “From birth to every stage of life, the Somali identity card will be with you, forever.”
