MOGADISHU, (HAN) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has unveiled sweeping reforms to the country’s passport system, declaring that the national identity card will become the sole document for accessing government and private sector services.
Speaking in Mogadishu on Wednesday, President Mohamud warned that any institution refusing to implement the national ID system would be considered a “national criminal.” He claimed more than 10 million Somalis currently hold passports, though many cannot be verified as authentic.
“Whether it is a government institution or a business, anyone who facilitates the non-implementation of the national identity card should know that he is a national criminal.
He has facilitated terrorism, he has facilitated thieves, he has facilitated the presence of illegal foreigners in the country,” Mohamud said.
The president added that, in the future, citizens without national IDs would lose access to basic rights and services. Since the rollout began, about 500,000 people have received biometric ID cards, though authorities expect more than 20 million Somalis will ultimately be required to obtain them.
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has set deadlines making the card mandatory for passport issuance starting September 1, 2025, and for domestic travel from January 1, 2026.
The officials say the system will boost security, reduce fraud, and streamline service delivery.
Despite the push, political opposition remains. Authorities in Puntland and Jubbaland have voiced resistance to the rollout, raising concerns over implementation and federal control.
