Over the last ten years, the Somali passport has clawed back some of its lost prestige, moving up the ranks from a dismal 128th to a more respectable 95th on the Passport Power Index. However, challenges linger around how this document is distributed and its perception on the global stage.
Recently, the Italian Embassy threw a curveball by halting the issuance of Schengen visas to holders of Somali passports within Somalia.
No explicit explanation was given by the Italian representatives, yet whispers to The EastAfrican suggested the discovery of bogus applicants fronting falsified diplomatic passports in a quest for Schengen visas played a part.
“Be advised,” announced the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi—the political nucleus of Kenya—”All Schengen entry visa processing has been suspended, effective immediately.” This move affects applicants processed in Mogadishu, Somalia’s heart.
The mission suspected a chunk of those acquiring diplomatic passports weren’t on official errands, establishing a breeding ground for potential misuse.
The Schengen visa permits non-EU nationals short-term visits, capped at 90 days within any 180-day timeline, to countries within the Schengen Zone, Italy included.
While one can gain entry via a permit from one nation, travel is green-lit across the Schengen area as long as the external bounds remain uncrossed.
Each Schengen member is accountable for ensuring applicants dish out ample and correct data, which gets shared with partner nations.
This move can tweak Somalia’s passport standing.
Based on the Passport Index, since 2019, Somalia’s passport has boosted its travel flexibility from a lowly 32 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring to 46—its zenith in three decades.
Visa-Free Travel
Though among the East African Community nations, it’s still the trickiest to globetrot on, demanding visas to 152 lands, 34 allowing visas upon arrival, and a scant 10 granting visa-free entrée.
The nation, nonetheless, has climbed roughly 20 spots to land on its current power rank at 95.
Leveraging credible data from the International Air Transport Association and Global Mobility Report, the Passport Index marks the Somalia passport’s advance past Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
The Italian mission’s visa embargo spells potential hurdles as other Schengen countries might mirror the restriction, and scrutiny for diplomatic pass travel could heat up, mocking the very purpose of such secure documents: facilitating official duty-driven travel.
Once nearly empty of value a decade back, Somali passports were doled out by hustlers at the infamously shadowy Abdallah Shideeye market.
Crafty Abdallah Shideeye traders filled voids left by absent institutions like the immigration bureau, now operating as the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA).
Folks snapped up these seemingly unapproved papers, including passports, school certificates, ID cards, and property deeds, without batting an eye.
When the Transitional Federal Government anchored itself in Mogadishu and African Union peacekeepers packed its security punch, the shadow markets like Abdallah Shideeye folded, ushering a resurgence of authentic Somali passports.
Mohamed Mohamud—an avid traveller to Somalia’s neighbors like Djibouti and Ethiopia—felt elated when European nations restored trust in Somalia’s passport.
“What thrills me,” shared Mohamud, “is when key European countries like Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and Norway at different points opted to stamp their visa on our passport.”
Now, that might change. ICA had been working its charm on more nations to recognize the Somali diplomatic passport, supplying security features to ensure impenetrability against forgeries.
According to ICA’s fresh strategic blueprint, the Somali passport will become accessible to more citizens over the coming five years as the agency plants new offices and pivots predominantly online for applications.
Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a representative in Somalia’s Lower House (People’s House), urged Somali officials to spring into action.
Compelling Concern
“Dear Minister,” penned Dr. Abib in pressing haste, “The reckless tide of bogus visa requests endangers nations putting their faith in our government’s sanctioned signatures,” he implored in communication to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The lawmaker spotlighted “a concerning trend” of numerous embassies in Mogadishu halting visas for Somali passport bearers, civilian to diplomatic.
“Your ministry must act swiftly, dispatching a formal Note Verbale (Authentic) to every embassy in Mogadishu, asserting the authenticity, transparency, and accountability of forthcoming visa solicitations.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
