Somalia imposes tough restrictions on travellers with Kenyan passport

MOGADISHU, Somalia | The strained relationship between Kenya and Somalia suffered yet again another immense blow, with the federal government of Somalia now targeting travelers with Kenyan passport, who will now be required to acquire a Somali passport in the country's embassies around the world. 

Before Monday's directive, all Kenyan passport holders were issued with a Somali passport upon arrival at the country's Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, but from December 13, the travelers will now have to comply with the new directives. 

In a tough-worded statement, the federal government of Somalia said such a move was necessitated by the security situation, the Coronavirus pandemic, and improving the migration management which has been having loopholes that leads to illegal entry to the country. 

"In line with federal government policy of ensuring security, improving migration management and mitigating spread of Covid-19, from December 13, all Kenyan passport holders traveling to the territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia must obtain Visas from Somali embassies," read the statement. 

For diplomatic passport holders, the government said, they will have to be cleared by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Whoever fails to adhere to the new directives, the government said, will be denied entry to the country. 

"The diplomatic passport holders are required to get approval from the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the federal government. Any Kenyan passport traveler who doesn't appear will be denied entry," it added. 

This comes just a week after Somalia accused Kenya of meddling in her internal politics, leading to the indefinite withdrawal of her envoy to Nairobi. Also, the country ordered Kenya Ambassador to Somalia Lucas Tumbo to leave with immediate effect.

In response, Kenya denied claims of interfering with Somalia's internal politics, adding that "it was least interested". Kenya has been linked to tough political decisions undertaken by Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, a close ally of Kenya Defense Forces [KDF].

Such a directive was issued by Kenya against Somalia last year but the differences were solved when President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo visited Kenya for a session with President Uhuru Kenyatta. The two countries have been having a hot and cold relationship over years. 

GAROWE ONLINE