Kosovo Raises Concern Over Nine Missing Somali Delegation Members Amid Visa Scandal

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Kosovo has formally demanded an explanation from the Somali government over the whereabouts and safety of nine members of an official Somali delegation who disappeared from their accommodation in Pristina after arriving in the country for a visit in late October.

In a diplomatic letter dated October 30, 2026, Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora expressed serious concern over the circumstances surrounding the nine individuals, saying their whereabouts, condition and possible departure from the country remained unconfirmed.

The two-page diplomatic communication, issued as a Note Verbale under reference number 4868-561/26, was addressed to Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

According to the letter, the Somali delegation arrived in Kosovo on October 25, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. aboard a Turkish Airlines flight. It was led by Said Mohamed Mohamud, Somalia's State Minister for Public Works, Housing and Reconstruction, and Fartuun Abdikadir Farah, Deputy Minister of Ports, accompanied by other representatives and delegation members.

Kosovo said that, according to information recorded by its State Protocol, nine accompanying members were the subject of the clarification request.

The ministry said that on October 28, while preparations were underway for the delegation's scheduled programme and transfer to the airport, State Protocol was informed that the nine individuals had checked out of their accommodation at Dua Village on the evening of October 27 at approximately 7:10 p.m.

They reportedly left without notifying the authorities responsible for accompanying them during their stay.

Kosovo said preliminary information indicated that the nine had departed the accommodation independently and might have travelled to another location outside the country. However, it stressed that this did not constitute confirmation of their whereabouts or establish whether they had actually left Kosovo.

The diplomatic letter further revealed that Kosovo's State Protocol had attempted to obtain clarification through representatives of the delegation but had received no concrete information about the nine individuals' whereabouts by the time the communication was prepared.

The ministry confirmed that State Minister Said Mohamed Mohamud left Kosovo on October 28, while Deputy Minister Fartuun Abdikadir Farah departed later that same day.

However, the nine accompanying members did not report to the VIP Terminal at Pristina International Airport, where they were expected to depart in accordance with the planned itinerary.

Kosovo said it had no confirmation regarding their whereabouts, residence status or possible departure from its territory.

The ministry formally requested that the Somali government clarify the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and provide information about their current location and safety.

It also asked Mogadishu to ensure that Kosovo's competent authorities and State Protocol are notified of any changes to the delegation's travel arrangements, including the stay and departure plans of its members.

The incident has reportedly triggered political repercussions in Somalia, with two federal ministers said to have been removed from office over allegations that they facilitated the travel arrangements for the nine individuals in exchange for money.

The allegations suggest that the young people were presented as government employees and included in the official delegation to obtain travel visas. However, the diplomatic letter does not mention payments, visa sales or the alleged involvement of Somali ministers.

Sources familiar with the case have also claimed that the nine individuals subsequently travelled to other countries and sought asylum. Their destinations and current immigration status have not been independently established.

The Kosovo communication does not confirm that the nine sought asylum or that they entered another country. Instead, it documents the failure to establish their whereabouts after they left their accommodation in Pristina.

The case has raised questions about the management of official foreign delegations, the selection of accompanying personnel and possible irregularities in government-sponsored international travel.

The letter establishes the nine members' departure from Dua Village at approximately 7:10 p.m. on October 27, the failure to appear at the airport on October 28, and Kosovo's lack of confirmation about their whereabouts.