Somalia's Immigration Chief Breaks Silence, Vigorously Defends Controversial E-Visa System
MOGADISHU – In a forceful and detailed response to growing public criticism, Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuhulow, the Director-General of Somalia's Immigration and Citizenship Agency, has broken his silence to mount a robust defense of the federally implemented electronic visa (E-Visa) system, denouncing what he characterized as a "baseless" smear campaign against the initiative.
The E-Visa platform, a cornerstone of the Federal Government's digital transformation agenda, has faced significant public backlash and allegations of technical failures since its rollout. In his first comprehensive address on the controversy, Dhuhulow framed the system as a vital tool for national unity and modernization, pushing back against what he implied were politically motivated attacks.
Speaking to media, Dhuhulow positioned the E-Visa not merely as an administrative tool, but as a mechanism for strengthening Somalia's sovereignty. "The E-Visa is a crucial system for the integration and unity of the country, and it has significantly streamlined services for Somali citizens," he stated.
He expressed disappointment that the program, which he believed would garner widespread support for its role in unifying the nation, had instead been met with fierce resistance. "I expected support because the E-Visa brings Somalis together and is a workforce for national cohesion. I did not expect the program to be undermined," Dhuhulow remarked, his comments suggesting a belief that the criticism is aimed at sabotaging a key national project.
The Director-General did not mince words in attributing the controversy to malign actors. He directly accused detractors of spreading "fabricated lies" to discredit the system and asserted that his agency is monitoring the sources of these disinformation efforts.
"We will not accept attacks on national programs that are central to our progress," he declared, signaling a refusal to scale back the initiative in the face of public pressure. This steadfast stance underscores the government's significant investment—both political and financial—in the digital platform.
Notably, Dhuhulow's defense did not include a direct rebuttal to the most persistent public concern: the alleged technical vulnerabilities and a potential security breach of the E-Visa system itself. This omission is likely to fuel further debate, as citizens and stakeholders have been awaiting a technical explanation regarding the system's robustness and the integrity of its data.
However, the Immigration Chief did hint at future actions to bolster public confidence, indicating that the agency will soon roll out a detailed briefing concerning the security measures underpinning the E-Visa platform.
Mustaf Dhuhulow's public intervention marks a critical juncture in the E-Visa saga, transforming it from a public grievance into a high-stakes battle over narrative and national technological sovereignty. The government, through its chief immigration officer, has drawn a line in the sand, framing support for the E-Visa as synonymous with support for a unified and modern Somalia.
While the strong defense may reassure international partners and some domestic constituencies, the failure to concretely address the specific technical allegations leaves a core part of the public's concerns unanswered. The promised security briefing will be a pivotal test, determining whether the government can successfully shift the conversation from one of system failure to one of national progress.
