MOGADISHU — Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama has overseen the formal handover ceremony at the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), marking a significant administrative transition within one of the nation’s crucial public bodies.
At the event, Hussein Kasim Yusuf officially assumed his responsibilities as the new Director of the agency, succeeding outgoing Director Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow .
Personnel at the gathering delivered a detailed account of the agency’s current programs, alongside established priorities and intended reforms to guide its upcoming functions. These encompass initiatives to improve operational efficiency, upgrade service delivery, and update managerial frameworks throughout the agency .
Deputy Prime Minister Emphasizes Agency’s Importance
Speaking to attendees, Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama stressed the fundamental importance of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency in protecting national security and managing cross-border activities. He pointed out that the establishment plays an essential part in supervising the nation’s frontiers and maintaining adherence to immigration regulations.
He further emphasized the organization’s primary role in providing fundamental public services, specifically the distribution of passports and travel documents, which remain imperative for Somali nationals. The Deputy Premier reinforced the necessity for persistent advancement in service availability and excellence to satisfy public requirements .
Previous Leadership: Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow
The outgoing Director, Mustafa Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow, previously oversaw significant institutional reforms at the agency. In June 2025, Dhuhulow officially signed the newly restructured organizational framework of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, a move aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening accountability, and improving service delivery in key areas such as passports, visas, citizenship, and border management .
In August 2025, Dhuhulow announced that Somalia would begin a new phase of integrating passports with the National Identification system. He outlined that starting in September 2025, all new passports issued in Somalia would be directly linked to the National ID database, a move designed to strengthen identity verification and enhance national security .
“By linking passports to the National ID, we are closing loopholes that previously allowed multiple or fraudulent identities,” Dhuhulow stated at the time. “This system will ensure accountability, transparency, and credibility in travel documentation” .
Presidential Endorsement of ICA Reforms
The leadership transition follows high-level recognition of the agency’s reform efforts. In October 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud paid a working visit to the ICA headquarters in Mogadishu, where he was briefed on ongoing institutional reforms aimed at modernizing Somalia’s immigration systems and improving public service delivery.
Accompanied by the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Fartaag, and then-Director Mustafa Duhulow, the President toured several departments and interacted with staff involved in passport issuance, border control, and identity management. The visit underscored his administration’s focus on strengthening national institutions as part of Somalia’s broader state-building agenda .
President Mohamud commended the leadership and staff of ICA for their dedication, describing their work as “vital to the sovereignty and security of the Somali state” .
Passport Processing Reforms
Under the previous administration, the ICA implemented significant improvements to passport processing times. In August 2025, the ICA signed a set of new Standard Operating Procedures aimed at significantly improving service delivery. Under the newly implemented procedures, new passport applications were reduced to 7 days from the previous 15-day timeframe, while renewals were processed within just 4 days, down from the previous 10-day standard .
“These reforms are part of ICA’s broader digital transformation agenda and commitment to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and public trust,” Duhulow stated at the time .
Biometric E-Passport Initiative
In October 2025, the Federal Government officially opened an international tender to modernize its national passport system, marking a major push toward digital security and global mobility. The ICA announced that it was seeking qualified global firms to design and supply a new polycarbonate e-passport equipped with biometric features, aiming to replace the existing paper-based document with a more secure and durable format .
The upgrade is expected to reduce forgery risks, streamline verification processes, and align Somalia with international aviation and border control standards .
Services for Diaspora Communities
The ICA has also focused on improving services for Somali citizens abroad. In August 2025, the Director General convened a key meeting with nearly 30 ICA attachés stationed in Somali embassies and consulates across the globe to assess and enhance services for citizens abroad .
The ICA, in partnership with the National Identification and Registration Authority, launched a six-day training program aimed at strengthening service delivery for Somali citizens living overseas, equipping attachés with the tools and knowledge to process National Identification Cards and passports efficiently .
“The Somali diaspora is a critical part of our nation, and they deserve efficient and transparent access to identification and citizenship services,” an ICA representative stated at the launch .
Commitment to Institutional Reform
The management change is projected to boost institutional effectiveness and facilitate continuing reforms designed to enhance Somalia’s immigration administration and citizen documentation services. The modernization of immigration and citizenship services is viewed as a cornerstone of Somalia’s broader state-building efforts—critical not only for national security but also for facilitating travel, investment, and international cooperation .
The Deputy Prime Minister’s oversight of the handover ceremony underscores the federal government’s commitment to ensuring smooth leadership transitions and maintaining momentum on institutional reforms across key government sectors .
