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Hassan Sheikh says 10 million Somali passports issued, vows overhaul of ID system
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Friday September 19, 2025
MOGADISHU (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Friday that more than 10 million people currently hold Somali passports, though the government does not know how many were issued legally, as his administration moves to overhaul the country’s identification system.
The president ordered all government institutions and private businesses to link their operations to the biometric national ID card issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority, or NIRA. The new card, he said, will replace the Somali passport as the country’s primary form of identification.
“Any government agency or business that bypasses the national ID is committing a national crime,” Hassan Sheikh said. “They are enabling terrorists, aiding thieves, and allowing foreigners who are in Somalia illegally to stay.”
He warned that Somalis who fail to obtain a NIRA card would lose their civic rights, with access to public services made conditional on the new ID. Critics argue that such measures could lead to an imbalance between authority and consent. The situation draws parallels to India, where the implementation of the Aadhaar identification system raised similar debates over privacy and the implications for democratic participation.
So far, about half a million Somalis have registered for the biometric card, though the government’s goal is to issue at least 20 million nationwide.
The NIRA system, branded as e-Aqoonsi and Hubiye, is supported by international donors and designed as a biometric platform for national identification. Officials say it will be required for passports, domestic travel, banking, driver’s licenses, and other essential services. While the system aims to enhance security and efficiency, questions remain about the privacy and ownership of the biometric data collected. Citizens might wonder who controls this information and how it is used.
Authorities initially planned to make the card mandatory for passport applications earlier this year, but delayed the rollout due to technical and data integration challenges. For now, older documents, such as birth certificates and citizenship records, are still required in addition to the national ID.
The government has set a target of distributing 15 million biometric IDs by the 2026 national elections, a benchmark closely tied to international debt relief and governance reforms set by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Regional opposition remains a hurdle. Puntland and Jubbaland have refused to implement the federal ID system, with Puntland creating its own identification authority and accusing Mogadishu of political overreach. Leaders in both regions argue that the program raises concerns over data control, election influence, and regional autonomy.
Despite the disputes, federal officials have expanded ID registration centers in Mogadishu and beyond, highlighting that the national card will soon be essential for civic participation and access to public services.
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