By Horn Africa News
Mogadishu — The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia’s border security and immigration management through a series of collaborative initiatives with the country’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA), led by Director General Mustafe Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow.
In a high-level meeting held in Mogadishu, Dhuhulow met with U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley and the Embassy’s Head of Political and Economic Affairs, Matthew Younger. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in several key areas, including the management of Somalia’s border security, the verification and recognition of Somali passports, and the roll-out of the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) — a U.S.-supported biometric data system used for border control and traveler screening.
The talks also addressed plans to integrate passport service systems between the ICA and other national agencies, such as the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), to improve efficiency and inter-agency coordination.
Both sides emphasized the importance of capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing the skills and technical expertise of Somali immigration staff.
Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority plays a central role in regulating entry and exit at the country’s borders, issuing passports, and managing citizenship services — critical functions for national security and governance.
The U.S. government has been a key partner in supporting these efforts, particularly in developing modern, technology-driven systems to curb illegal migration, counter transnational threats, and facilitate legitimate travel.
The meeting underscores Washington’s continued engagement in Somalia’s security and governance sectors, with border management seen as a vital component of stabilizing the country and improving its international connectivity.
