MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s federal government plans to introduce a nationwide electronic travel authorization (ETA) system on November 27, extending its control over all international air arrivals as tensions deepen with Somaliland and Puntland over travel regulations.
The new system, described by federal officials as more stringent than the e-visa platform already rejected by the two regions, will require all passengers bound for Somalia to obtain prior authorization before boarding. The platform will be linked directly to airlines’ passenger data systems, including Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR), giving authorities in Mogadishu access to travelers’ personal and travel details before their departure.
Airlines will be unable to issue boarding passes to travelers without e-visa and federal clearance, effectively preventing entry into Somalia without approval from Mogadishu. The measure centralizes immigration oversight under the federal government, strengthening its ability to monitor and control the flow of passengers entering the country.
The system’s rollout comes after Somaliland and Puntland rejected Mogadishu’s claim to control visa issuance for their territories. Somaliland officials insist that only Hargeisa has authority over its airspace and visa policy, warning airlines that comply with Mogadishu’s directives could face bans from entering its airspace or landing at its airports.
The dispute underscores the broader political rift between Somalia’s federal government and the self-governing regions, which may see the new authorization system as an attempt to consolidate federal power at their expense. Analysts say the system could enable Mogadishu to restrict travel by critics, journalists, and opposition figures, including those traveling to areas outside its administrative reach.
Authorities in Somaliland are reportedly preparing to introduce their own parallel travel regulations to counter the federal initiative, further complicating coordination on air travel across Somali airspace.
It remains unclear how the new federal system will be enforced in regions outside Mogadishu’s control, but the dispute threatens to disrupt international travel and deepen Somalia’s ongoing political divisions.
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