Journey to Belong: Unraveling North Western State of Somalia’s New Residency Directive

In a decisive move, the Ministry of Interior of North Western State of Somalia has issued a striking directive targeting those living in the region without legal residency documentation. The order comes with a firm, almost startling timeframe: a mere three days.

The directive, unfolding under the signature of the Minister of Interior, Abdalle Mohamed Arab, urgently implores all undocumented individuals to leave the region within a narrow window. “The Minister of Interior and Security, Abdalle Mohamed Arab, has issued an order regarding foreign nationals who do not possess legal documentation for the Republic of North Western State of Somalia,” stated the decree, released with immediacy on the calm morning of Tuesday.

From Wednesday, April 30, through to the end of day on May 2, 2025, this mandate will hover over those affected. A rapid, almost breathless transition for many, surely evoking deep unease amidst those without documentation.

All Undocumented Foreigners Ordered to Leave #North Western State of Somalia Within Three Days – Decree

Interestingly, the directive falls short of clarifying the term “foreigner.” Who is genuinely considered an outsider in a region where borders and identities blur under the weight of history and circumstance?

North Western State of Somalia, cherished for its relative calm amidst the tumult of greater Somalia, accommodates a rich tapestry of lives: Ethiopian migrants, internally displaced individuals from southern Somalia, and others fleeing distant lands such as Yemen and Syria. Each narrative represents dreams, thresholds of hope, and sometimes, the echoes of despair.

Back in 2022, a wave of deportations swept through the city of Las Anod, where thousands were removed. Many hailed from southern Somalia. The authorities pointed to issues of undocumented residency, linking these families and individuals to perceived insecurity.

Sitting back, I recall a poignant conversation with an elder from Hargeisa. With a gentle smile, he narrated, “Years ago, my family moved here. We crossed the borders not as foreigners, but as seekers of peace.” How often do we ask ourselves, where do borders end, and humanity begin?

In an intriguing twist, international media recently buzzed with reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was contemplating a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to North Western State of Somalia and Puntland. An act stemming perhaps from a viewpoint of these regions being safer havens. But it makes one wonder, can such decisions truly grasp the human stories and complexities on the ground?

As the deadline edges closer, the air in North Western State of Somalia pulses with uncertainty. Questions abound. Will this move bolster regional security? Or merely displace the troubles of one community onto another?

“In a world where identity intertwines with geography, are we ready to embrace definitions of belonging that surpass legal documentation?”

Communities across North Western State of Somalia are diverse mosaics, each individual a thread in an intricate cloth of shared history and experience. As directives like these unfold, the conversation around identity, belonging, and sanctuary becomes ever more essential.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring