Home · World · Jun 26 archive
EU Imposes Visa Restrictions on Somali Diplomatic Passport Holders
Confirmed
In Short: The European Union has imposed strict visa restrictions on Somali diplomatic passport holders following a dispute over the deportation and readmission of undocumented Somalis living in Europe.
Following a dispute over the deportation and readmission of undocumented Somalis living in Europe, the European Union has imposed strict visa restrictions on Somali diplomatic passport holders.
Speaking during Somalia's 66th Independence Day celebrations, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that his government remains willing to receive Somali citizens ordered to leave European countries but would not accept anyone until authorities had confirmed they were genuinely Somali.
Mohamud emphasized that his government would readmit its citizens, but many returnees were not Somali nationals, as people across the Horn of Africa share a similar appearance and some present themselves as Somali to claim asylum in Europe.
He added, 'If they are Somali, then we’ll take them. If they aren’t, we’ll help you find out where they are from, and you can send them there,' indicating that Somali embassies had been instructed to assist in verifying citizenship and facilitating returns.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- DON'T MISS THIS: 5 EU countries eye Kenya as a prime asylum destination alongside Ghana, Benin, and Rwanda Speaking during celebrations marking Somalia's 66th Independence Day, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said…
- "We will not accept people who are not Somali citizens, " Mohamud said, framing citizenship verification as a matter of national sovereignty and legal responsibility rather than a refusal to cooperate.
- Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pushed back, saying his government would readmit its citizens, but said that many returnees were not Somali nationals.
- People across the Horn of Africa share a similar appearance, he said, and some present themselves as Somali to claim asylum in Europe.
- “If they are Somali, then we’ll take them. If they aren’t, we’ll help you find out where they are from, and you can send them there,” Mohamud said.
- The prime minister regularly handled such cases, Mohamud said, adding that Somali embassies had been instructed to help citizens return.