Somaliland rejects Somalia’s passport

The breakaway Somaliland’s  immigration authorities have nullified the use of Federal Government of Somalia passports within its territory barely a week after Turkish ambassador to Somalia dismissed reports that Turkey recognised the passports of Somaliland citizens.

The director of Immigration General Mohamed Osman Alim has told reporters at a press conference in Hargeisa that Somali passport holders will not be allowed entry or exit in all the ports in Somaliland.

“From today onwards the holders of Somali passports made in Somaliland will not be allowed entry or exit in all airports in Somaliland,” said Alim.

For his part, the director of Ministry of Interior Abdulfatah Said also confirmed the clampdown on equipment used to make Somali passports within Somaliland.

“We got some equipment used to make Somali passport and the police are on a search for other such equipment in town,” said Said.

Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in the early 1990s.

Somalia wants Somaliland to be part of a united country. But the territory, which is yet to be recognised by both the federal government and international community has been a haven of relative peace amid the chaos and bloodshed in the country’s south ravaged and destructed infrastructure and other Socials amenities.

The international community is urging the sides to find a negotiated solution.