Federal Government Presses for Unified ID to Safeguard State-Building

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s federal government reaffirmed on Monday that the country’s national identification system is a constitutional right for all citizens and warned against any attempts to create parallel ID systems, calling them illegal and divisive.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation emphasized that there would be only one unified national ID system, built over the past decade as a key pillar for restoring governance, enhancing national security, and improving public services.

“The National ID is a constitutional right, not a political tool,” the government said, urging all regions to work within the established legal framework. “Any attempt to block or duplicate the national ID system will be viewed as a violation of citizens’ legal rights.”

The announcement follows a decree earlier this month by Puntland’s president to establish a separate regional identification system, an action the federal government described as illegal, irresponsible, and damaging to national unity.

Somalia’s National ID Policy was approved by the federal cabinet, and two key laws, the National Identification Act and the Citizen Data Protection Act, were passed by Parliament in March 2023.

These laws led to the creation of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), which manages citizen data under modern, secure infrastructure aligned with international standards.

Under the system, each Somali citizen will be assigned a unique 11-digit number, facilitating access to government services, internal mobility, anti-terrorism efforts, and future cross-border travel, especially within the East African Community, which Somalia joined earlier this year.

The project also supports global development targets, including the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16.9: legal identity for all by 2030.

The ministry called on Puntland authorities to cooperate in implementing the unified system and to redirect efforts toward essential services rather than duplicating systems that could weaken the country’s fragile federal framework.

“State-building must remain a collaborative, uninterrupted process,” the statement added, stressing that Somalia’s economic realities require unified, sustainable solutions rather than fragmentation.

The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the National Identification System remains inclusive, secure, and accessible to all Somali citizens, regardless of region.