Mogadishu, Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised the progress made in modernizing the country’s e-Visa system, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening national security, improving border management, and enhancing the movement of people and goods. His remarks, delivered from Villa Somalia, come at a time when the initiative has drawn sharp criticism from regional administrations, including Puntland and Somaliland, who have voiced objections over implementation and authority concerns.
President Mohamud said the updated e-Visa platform represents a milestone in Somalia’s digital transformation agenda, aiming to streamline immigration processes and curb identity fraud.
“This modernization effort is part of our broader goal to build a transparent and secure state system that serves all Somalis,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining national unity while advancing digital governance.
Central to this modernization is the introduction of the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), a biometric-based technology that captures fingerprints and facial recognition data to strengthen border security and track movement more effectively. Developed with technical support and funding from the United States, PISCES is already operational in several major airports and border points across the country.
Officials say the new system will not only facilitate smoother travel for legitimate visitors but also enhance the government’s ability to identify and deter potential security threats. U.S. officials have described the partnership as part of Washington’s long-term support for Somalia’s efforts to secure its borders and improve governance.
However, the rollout has not been without controversy. Puntland’s presidency and Somaliland authorities have openly criticized the federal government’s unilateral approach, arguing that the e-Visa and PISCES systems were introduced without proper consultation with regional administrations. They have raised questions about data management, revenue sharing, and control over immigration functions—issues that continue to strain federal-regional relations.
Despite the political friction, President Mohamud insisted that the modernization drive is a national priority.
“We are building systems that safeguard our sovereignty and strengthen our institutions,” he stated, calling on all regional governments to cooperate in advancing Somalia’s technological and security infrastructure.
The new e-Visa platform is expected to be fully operational nationwide by early next year, offering applicants an online process for obtaining entry permits and introducing a centralized database for identity verification. For the federal government, it marks a new era of digitization and state consolidation—though one still shadowed by the complex politics of federalism in Somalia.