Las Anod, Somalia – In a significant step toward enhancing governance and service delivery in newly established administrative regions, Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh, officially handed over digital civil registration equipment to local authorities in Las Anod on Monday.
The handover marks a major milestone in efforts to institutionalise civil documentation services, including population registration, birth and death certificates, and other essential civil status records. The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen federalism, promote inclusive governance, and ensure that all citizens are accounted for in national databases.
“This equipment will allow the new state to carry out accurate, reliable, and secure civil registration, which is the foundation of public administration, service delivery, and democratic participation,” said Hosh during the ceremony.
He emphasized the importance of digital systems in ensuring transparency, improving access to social services, and supporting national planning and security frameworks.
The equipment includes biometric registration kits, data management tools, and technical support systems tailored to operate in remote or under-resourced areas. Training will be provided to local personnel to ensure smooth implementation and long-term sustainability of the civil registration process.
Community leaders and regional officials in Las Anod welcomed the move, describing it as a vital step toward state-building, citizenship inclusion, and government legitimacy in the region.
The handover comes at a time when Somalia is intensifying efforts to build institutional capacity at the federal and state levels, particularly in regions that have recently emerged from conflict or political marginalization.
Officials noted that this development aligns with Somalia’s National Identity Program and the wider National Transformation Plan (NTP), aimed at fostering unity, enhancing public trust, and laying the groundwork for national elections based on universal suffrage.