Somalia denies need for clearance letter for citizens after Qatar Airlines ‘demand’

GOOBJOOG NEWS| LONDON: Somali embassy in the UK has denied claims that Somalis travelling from the UK to Somalia have to be cleared before travelling.

Reacting to a Twitter post by a Somali national who claimed that several Somalis were barred from travelling home after Qatar Airways demanded clearance letters, the embassy said there was no such provision.

“The Somali embassy in London did NOT initiate or required anyone travelling to Somalia to have a letter,” the embassy said in a tweet. It however confirmed that airlines had in mid-April demanded that travellers to Somalis produce visas thus inconveniencing many who wanted to travel home.

“The embassy have contacted the authorities both in UK and Somalia to find out the requirements. To facilitate the travel of the families the embassy issued a letter requesting to allow them to travel and they will receive visas upon arrival,” the embassy added.

A Twitter user claimed on Sunday that Qatar Airways barred a family from boarding after they could not produce clearance letters from the embassy.

“This requirement has resulted in widespread confusion & frustration among British citizens who plan to travel to Somalia,” Twitter user, Fidow said.

The revelations sparked sharp reactions from Somalis online.