Mogadishu, Somalia – The director of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia (ICA), Mustafa Duhulow, has confirmed that the United States has played a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s border and security infrastructure through advanced biometric technology and capacity building.
According to Duhulow, the U.S. Mission to Somalia, through its partnership with ICA, has supported the rollout of a biometric identification system that connects national databases with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) network. This linkage enables Somali authorities to verify identities more accurately, track criminal activity across borders, and respond faster to international security alerts.
Duhulow noted that the integration has already begun to enhance screening procedures at key entry points, making it harder for individuals involved in terrorism, organized crime, or identity fraud to evade detection. The system will also help streamline immigration management and reinforce national security operations.
In addition to the technological support, the United States has trained 108 Somali officers to operate and maintain the biometric platform. These officers are now equipped to handle data collection, system troubleshooting, and investigative collaboration with international agencies.
Officials say the initiative represents a major step toward modernizing law enforcement and reinforcing Somalia’s ability to combat transnational threats. The ICA chief emphasized that the partnership not only strengthens border control but also supports long-term stability by improving investigative capacity and interagency cooperation.
Somali authorities view the development as part of broader efforts to professionalize law enforcement, curb illicit movements, and bolster national sovereignty through reliable identification systems and global intelligence-sharing mechanisms.