Mogadishu– Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a stern reminder to citizens abroad, urging them to travel home with their Somali passports rather than relying on foreign documents. Speaking at a government performance review forum in Mogadishu, the president stressed that national identity must not be reduced to language or appearance alone.
“Being Somali is not just about skin colour or the ability to speak Somali,” Mohamud declared. “It is about holding and respecting the documents of your nation. When you return home, come with your Somali passport, not with the passport of another country.”
The president’s remarks come as the government accelerates its national identification program, a flagship reform aimed at strengthening citizenship verification, curbing fraud, and enhancing access to services. He called on all Somalis—both at home and in the diaspora—to register and obtain their national ID cards, describing them as vital tools for building a modern state.
Officials at the event said the government has already rolled out registration points across major cities, with plans to expand into rural areas and establish mobile units abroad to reach diaspora communities. The initiative is also seen as a key step in combating terrorism financing and improving electoral processes.
Somalia’s large diaspora, estimated in the millions, remains central to the nation’s economy through remittances and investments. However, many often rely on foreign citizenship for travel convenience and security. President Mohamud acknowledged these realities but underscored that loyalty to the homeland requires embracing its official identity.
“We want every Somali, wherever they are in the world, to proudly carry their Somali identity,” he concluded.
The push for national ID and passport use reflects broader efforts by the Somali government to reinforce sovereignty, tighten border controls, and unify its citizens under a common national framework.