Switzerland Lunches Training for Somali Border Officers in Push to Tackle Cross-Border Crime

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Switzerland has launched an intensive border security training program for Somali immigration officers, in a move aimed at strengthening Somalia’s ability to police its porous frontiers with Kenya and Ethiopia and curb rising cross-border threats.

A Somali delegation is currently in Switzerland, undergoing hands-on training focused on advanced passport control, identity verification, and modern techniques in border surveillance. The initiative targets frontline officers from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, the key agency overseeing Somalia’s entry and exit points.

The Swiss-funded program is designed to sharpen Somalia’s capacity to combat human trafficking, terrorism, and irregular migration, while also improving the legal movement of people and goods across its borders.

“This training marks a critical step toward a more secure and professionally managed border system,” said a Somali immigration official. “It will directly improve how we screen travelers and respond to evolving threats.”

With long, often unmonitored land borders, Somalia faces persistent security risks, including arms smuggling, foreign fighter movement, and illicit trade. The Swiss government sees strong border governance as central to Somalia’s long-term stability and regional peace efforts.

Officials say the skills gained will be cascaded to border posts across the country, raising overall performance and tightening controls at checkpoints and airports. Switzerland’s support comes as part of a wider international push to rebuild Somalia’s institutions and enhance its control over territory.

The collaboration is also seen as a boost to Somalia’s regional integration goals, enabling safer, more orderly mobility in the Horn of Africa, a region increasingly shaped by both economic opportunity and complex security dynamics.