By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — The Director-General of Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority, Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow, has delivered a strong rebuke to individuals spreading claims and misinformation about the country’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation System (E-TAS), a topic that has dominated Somali social media in recent days.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the controversy erupted, Dhuxulow dismissed the online allegations as deliberate attempts to undermine both the E-TAS programme and the broader services provided by the Federal Government of Somalia. He warned that the government would not tolerate campaigns aimed at damaging the reputation of its institutions.
Dhuxulow said Somalis must distinguish between legitimate criticism and actions that harm the dignity and authority of the state.
“There are matters Somalis can debate, such as economic policies, but no one is allowed to damage the foundations of the state — its dignity, its honour, and its national institutions,” he said.
“It is unacceptable to deliberately tarnish state programmes that are designed to unify the country.”
The immigration chief said the authority is closely monitoring individuals who are actively spreading what he described as propaganda against the E-TAS system. He cautioned those involved to stop what he called actions that undermine national governance and public trust.
“We are fully aware of the people disseminating this propaganda — those organising it and those supporting it,” he added.
“It is extremely dangerous for national projects, especially those created to protect statehood, to be attacked openly in public platforms.”
The E-TAS programme, launched by the Federal Government to modernise travel authorisation and strengthen border security, has faced strong resistance from the authorities in Somaliland and Puntland, both of whom oppose Mogadishu’s central control over immigration. Their resistance has widened the already tense political rift between the federal government and the two regions.
Dhuxulow’s comments mark the first official response from the Immigration and Citizenship Authority following widespread claims on social media alleging that government websites involved in processing E-TAS applications had been hacked. The agency has repeatedly insisted the system is secure and fully operational.
The remarks come as the debate over the E-TAS continues to intensify, reflecting broader political disputes over federal authority, state autonomy, and control of Somalia’s airspace and immigration systems.
