President Mohamud Pushes for Mass Registration as Somalia Advances Digital Identity System

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a strong call to all Somali citizens to register for the National ID, stressing that the digital identity system is now an essential pillar of Somalia’s future governance, security, and service delivery.

Closing the Second National Identity Conference (SNIDC2025) in Mogadishu on Tuesday, the President said the National ID is no longer optional but a foundational requirement for citizenship rights and national progress.

He praised NIRA’s work and the growing number of citizens who have already registered, but emphasized that the next phase requires full public participation.

“To prove you are a Somali citizen starts with obtaining the National ID card,” President Hassan Sheikh said. “The time is coming when life will not function without it. Our nation cannot remain where it was 35 years ago, we must embrace modern systems and live like the rest of the world.”

The President urged Somalis everywhere, in cities, rural areas, and the diaspora, to register without delay, saying the National ID will unlock access to government services, secure elections, and protect the rights of every citizen.

He also called on government institutions to accelerate outreach and ensure registration is accessible to all, especially vulnerable and remote communities.

The President concluded that a unified National ID system will strengthen trust between citizens and the state, enhance national security, and solidify Somalia’s progress toward democratic governance.