Tuesday September 9, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland has rejected the Federal Government
of Somalia’s newly launched electronic visa system, accusing Mogadishu of
overstepping its authority by attempting to control entry into regional
territories.
Puntland’s Information Minister Mahmoud Aydiid Dirir on Tuesday
criticized the federal initiative, saying the right to issue visas and manage
airports rests with Puntland when it comes to travelers landing in its
territory.
“We condemn it — it is robbery what the Federal Government
of Somalia is doing,” Dirir said. “Until a formal agreement is reached, the
central government has no legal authority to control people landing at the
country’s airports.”
Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency officially
launched the Electronic Visa and Travel Authorization System (E-Visa/ETAS) on September
1, 2025, through a dedicated online portal. Authorities say the system will
simplify travel, enhance transparency, and strengthen national security by
requiring all travelers to apply for visas online before entry.
The rollout, hailed by Mogadishu as a major step in
modernizing immigration services, has instead ignited fresh tensions between
the federal government and Puntland, which has long clashed with Mogadishu over
authority and revenue control at airports.
