NIRA Disclaims Any Connection Between National ID Production and Approaching Elections
Mogadishu (AX) – In a recent crackdown on swirling rumors, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) made it crystal clear that the freshly-minted national ID cards have absolutely zilch to do with Somalia’s forthcoming nationwide elections using the one-person, one-vote principle. In a direct tête-à-tête with BBC Somali on a sun-drenched Sunday, NIRA’s head honcho, Abdiwali Ali Abdulle Timacade, set the record straight, emphasizing that this ambitious ID card initiative is all about offering a timeless identification tool to every Somali citizen, and not a sneaky backstage pass to the polling booth.
“Our mission is to create an ID card that’s as indispensable and enduring as a Swiss Army knife – something you keep with you through thick and thin,” Timacade elucidated. “It’s pivotal both in the run-up to elections and long after the ballots have been tallied beyond recognition.” While these shiny new IDs could eventually be utilized by the electoral commission to verify who’s who in the voting zoo, Timacade was keen to highlight that the card’s utility stretches far and wide, doubling as a handy passport across travel desks and a golden ticket to myriad government services.
Expanding on this vision, Timacade painted a larger picture, pointing out that Somalia’s governmental checklist extends beyond election day. The real deal here is weaving a strong, dependable identification tapestry that bolsters sustainable national development for the long haul.
with the bustling aid of the World Bank’s purse and the Pakistani government’s extensive knowledge regarding such monumental projects, this national ID endeavor is positively humming with potential. Timacade, with more than a dash of confidence, reassured skeptics about the database’s integrity, stating, “We’ve crafted a fortress around the data of the Somali populace. It’s locked tighter than a clam with a secret, with no unauthorized peepers allowed.”
As these revolutionary national ID cards start rolling off the assembly line, they herald a pivotal era wherein Somali citizens are poised to climb the ladder of empowerment, gaining unfettered access to vital services, asserting legal rights, and grabbing hold of opportunities with both hands.
Coinciding with the ID card breakthrough, Somalia unexpectedly struts onto the regional stage, having finally snagged a membership card into the exclusive East African Community (EAC) club. After a protracted and determined bid, Somalia punched its ticket into the EAC in March 2024, proudly rubbing shoulders as the eighth member alongside the likes of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
This momentous membership brings a cultural and economic mixing pot bubbling with potential. It unwraps an avenue for collaborative growth and underscores Somalia’s hunger to plant its flag firmly on the international map, showcasing a gritty narrative of resilience and unwavering determination to grow beyond its borders.
“Joining the EAC isn’t just a feather in our cap; it’s an opportunity to broaden our horizons and feed our ambitions on a grand scale,” a government representative, chimed in, painting a vivid picture of this new era of regional camaraderie.
As bustling streets and lively neighborhoods in Mogadishu and beyond brace for the rippling changes that these national IDs and new continental associations promise, one can’t help but chew over the potential impacts. Will these moves ultimately transform the daily lives of ordinary Somalis? Or is this just another round of bureaucratic hoopla?
In reflecting on the path ahead, the question looms large: in what ways will the fusion of identity validation and regional engagement morph Somalia’s trajectory from a nation in recovery to a capable contender on the global stage?
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clearer than a bell on a frosty morning: Somalia is charting an audacious course along an uncharted map. And one can only hope this journey grips both the heart and the mind as it navigates the thrill of transformation.
Report by Axadle
