Acquire IDs to avoid arrest, Intelligence chief tells Somalis

Somali Intelligence boss Abdullahi Gafow Mohamud has called on all Somalis who do not have IDs to acquire them the soonest to avoid arrest as the government launches massive security operation.

Mohamud said that the move is aimed at combating those criminals who are violating the city’s peace.

Speaking at meeting, Mohamud said the possession of the legal document was a necessity to any individual particularly when seeking  to access jobs, services from government institutions and banking facilities.

“Residents will not be allowed to conduct business, go to school, or travel through the city airports unless they have the required documents,” said Gafow.

He added, “We will not even allow residents to rent a car, or get a phone without a national IDcard.”

For over two decades, getting any form of official identification for Somali citizens was done through the back alleys of the infamous Bakara market, a system known as “Abdallah Shideeye” or the counterfeiter.

Without a functioning government and institutions during the two decades of civil war, many Somalis had to acquire fake identity cards and passports to travel as they sought refugee status in neighboring countries.

Although it is mandatory that all Somalis aged 18 and above be issued with National Identity Cards but majority of the Somalis do not have legal IDs.

The introduction of these secure identity documents and supporting solutions will help the government of Somalia in its efforts to restore law and order, enhance economic development, and improve the standard of living for the citizens of Somalia.

The national citizen ID documents improve the security situation in the country by enabling law enforcement agencies to verify citizens’ identities, while the e-passport facilitates international travel across borders.