Sana’a, Yemen – The Somali Embassy in Yemen has officially resumed issuing passports, ending an eight-year suspension that left thousands of Somali nationals without access to vital identity documents.
The Embassy in Sana’a announced the reinstatement of the service this week, marking the first time since 2016 that Somalis residing in Yemen can apply for or renew their passports locally. The interruption was initially caused by the outbreak of civil war in Yemen, which disrupted consular operations and forced Somali authorities to relocate or scale down diplomatic services.
Embassy officials said the reactivation of the passport unit aims to address the growing needs of the Somali community, many of whom have faced difficulties traveling, accessing healthcare and education, or regularizing their residency status. Community leaders in Yemen welcomed the move, describing it as a lifeline for families who have endured years of administrative and legal uncertainty.
The Federal Government of Somalia has been gradually restoring consular services in conflict-affected nations where large Somali populations reside. Officials noted that reopening the passport office in Yemen aligns with broader efforts to improve services for citizens abroad and strengthen diplomatic outreach.
Somalis in Yemen are now being encouraged to contact the embassy for application procedures and appointment schedules. Diplomatic staff stressed that the service will follow enhanced verification protocols to ensure secure and efficient processing.
The decision is expected to ease longstanding hardships and reinforce Somalia’s engagement with its diaspora in the Arabian Peninsula, where economic migration and displacement have shaped Somali communities for decades.