By Horn Africa News
Mogadishu – The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration have signed a bilateral cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing the quality of immigration services and improving border security operations between the two nations.
The agreement was formalized during an official visit by Mustafa Ali Dhuhulow, Director of the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency, who led a high-level delegation to Switzerland. During the visit, the Somali delegation held key discussions with senior officials from the Swiss immigration and security departments, as well as representatives from the ministries of justice, foreign affairs, and technical experts.
As part of the agreement, the Swiss government has recently donated advanced equipment to Somalia designed to detect forged travel documents—an essential step in combating illegal migration and strengthening travel documentation systems.
Both countries also agreed to collaborate on effective training programs and enhance institutional cooperation between the two agencies. The agreement includes commitments to infrastructure development in the immigration sector and capacity building for Somali immigration personnel.
The move is expected to significantly improve the global recognition and credibility of the Somali passport, which is seen as a vital symbol of national identity for Somali citizens. The partnership marks a step forward in Somalia’s efforts to modernize its immigration services and reinforce international trust in its travel documents.
