Somalia: Puntland unveils own visa, rejects FGS E-Visa

GAROWE, Somalia - Puntland has rolled out its own visa, rejecting the ongoing implementation of the E-Visa system being propagated by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in the midst of criticism from member states.

Travellers using a Puntland visa will have to part with $60 in a move aimed at modernising the immigration procedures within Somalia. The government of Somalia has struggled to implement its own visa system.

Puntland Immigration Agency team insisted that the region will continue to operate its own visa system dubbed VISO, which cannot be controlled by Mogadishu. The central government is yet to respond to the latest move by Puntland.

The move reflects a stance of political autonomy similar to that of Somaliland, which earlier directed international airlines to disregard the federal government’s electronic visa requirements, analysts say.

The autonomous state of Somaliland had also enforced its own visa, banning airlines that were not compliant. This has triggered major carriers like Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai to abandon the federal government’s electronic visa system for survival.

Somalia says the federal e-visa is set to assist the country towards digital immigration systems for the purpose of accountability. Due to dilapidated infrastructure systems in Somalia, air transport is considered the most effective.

The country has struggled to realign its policy with the international partners due to frequent wrangles with member states and a lack of consultations. The member states accuse Mogadishu of enforcing policies without due diligence or concurrence with regional systems.

GAROWE ONLINE