Security warning from Puntland State authorities
Puntland State has urged travelers using foreign passports to avoid Somalia’s federal E‑VISA platform, citing significant security weaknesses that could expose personal data. The warning, delivered from Garowe by Puntland State’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Caydiid Dirir, alleges flaws that could allow sensitive traveler information to be accessed and misused.
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- Dirir said the E‑VISA system contains vulnerabilities that put user data at risk.
- He framed the platform as prioritizing revenue over data protection.
- The advisory is aimed at travelers using foreign passports planning to enter Somalia.
Claims of data exposure and revenue oversight gaps
Puntland State officials linked their warning to what they described as a recent cyberattack on the E‑VISA system, arguing it demonstrates weak defenses and poor backups. They also questioned how visa revenues are managed, saying no clear legal framework governs the collection or sharing of funds.
- Dirir said information “has been hacked and made public online,” and that backups are lacking.
- He said there is no codified mechanism for apportioning E‑VISA revenue, raising accountability concerns.
- Authorities in Puntland State characterized the platform as a “money‑making project” without adequate safeguards.
Federal government denies security risks
Somalia’s federal authorities rejected claims that the E‑VISA system is insecure. In public statements, they dismissed the warnings as propaganda from groups they say oppose national development and unity.
- Federal officials have not confirmed any breach affecting the platform.
- The central government maintains that the system is safe for users.
- The dispute underscores ongoing tension between regional and federal authorities over digital infrastructure and revenue control.
What travelers should know now
The competing claims leave travelers with conflicting guidance: Puntland State’s warning against using the federal E‑VISA versus Mogadishu’s assurances. There was no immediate, independently verified assessment of the platform’s current security posture.
- Puntland State advises travelers with foreign passports not to use the federal E‑VISA system at this time.
- The federal government says the platform is secure and operational.
- Travelers should monitor official advisories from both federal and regional authorities and verify entry requirements before travel.
AXADLE, Puntland State — “This is a money-making project without proper security measures for protecting personal data, and there are no backups. The leaked information shows that data belonging to users has been hacked and made public online,” Dirir said.
Somalia’s federal government has called such claims unfounded and politically motivated. No timeline for an independent security audit or joint review was announced.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
