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Dr. Nur Dirie Hersi Fursade, Chief Strategist in the Office of the President of Somalia and Head the Digital ID Program, met with senior World Bank officials and development partners to brief them on a new government-led program, which aims to provide identification for all Somalis.
The Somali National Identity Program, the first of its kind for Somalia, will attempt to implement a foundational identification system based on biometric data. The National ID systems designed to be the nucleus of a new national identification infrastructure and will act an entry point for service delivery for Somali authorities, civil society, development partners and the private sector.
"The Somali Government is rapidly developing governance structures that will be able to respond to citizen needs”, said Dr. Nur Dirie Hersi Fursade, Chief Strategists in the Office of the President of Somalia. "Parallel to these developments, we need to make sure that Somali citizens and eligible residents are provided with identification credentials, which will enable access to vital services including aid and money transfer services. Implemented in this way, the new ID system acts as an effective and neutral entry point for addressing the effects of the global de-risking agenda by the Somali authorities”.
Somalia has never had a centralized identification system for its citizens and eligible residents, though decentralized manual identification systems were operational in local municipalities prior to 1991.
The new ID system aims to promote linkages with delivery of services by the private sector, link IDs with electronic Know Your Customer (KYC) verification in the financial sector and coordinate social protection programs such as unconditional cash transfers. IDs would also play a crucial role in security, displacement and democratization processes.
Dr. Nur made a technical presentation to development partners that outlined the envisioned identification infrastructure, legal and regulatory framework, implementation schedule and budget estimations. He stressed that the Office of the President envisions a new federal agency would be established to manage the ID system.
The Government of the United Kingdom has issued new guidance to its citizens regarding travel to Somalia, stating that British passport holders are now required to obtain an Electronic Visa (E-Visa) prior to traveling to Mogadishu or any other part of Somalia. According to the advisory, E-Visas are mandatory for all travelers heading to Mogadishu, and even those transiting through or traveling to Hargeisa may be asked to present an entry visa at departure points. Full Article
Hobyo, Galmudug The long-anticipated construction of Hobyo Port has officially commenced, marking a major step forward for trade, investment, and maritime infrastructure in Galmudug State and Somalia at large. The project is being executed by a prominent Turkish construction company, whose team of experienced engineers has arrived in Hobyo to oversee and lead the implementation of the port development. Full Article
Hobyo, Mudug The Minister of Commerce of the Galmudug State Government, Abdi Jama Keyse, arrived today in the coastal city of Hobyo, Mudug region. His visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and economic development in the region, particularly around the strategic Hobyo Port. Full Article
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a move highlighting Ethiopia's growing focus on Gulf partnerships, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed Ambassador Jamal Bakar, a senior diplomat from the Somali Regional State, as the country's new Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
By Dahir Alasow – Investigative Journalist, Waagacusub Media Mogadishu | Waagacusub.net | November 2025 A new political alliance is taking shape in Somalia as nine influential political figures — drawn from different parties, civic movements, and government backgrounds — have united under one banner known as the Union for National Dignity (Midowga Haybad Qaran). The coalition, announced through a joint press statement in Mogadishu, aims to create a unified political front capable of "restoring national cohesion, governance integrity, and public confidence in Somalia's democracy."
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The Somali-led watchdog organization Solda Safety Network has filed a formal request with Swiss authorities to investigate Mohamed Mohamud, a Somali national living in Lausanne who is known on TikTok as "Khalid Mula."
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The Government of the United Kingdom has issued new guidance to its citizens regarding travel to Somalia, stating that British passport holders are now required to obtain an Electronic Visa (E-Visa) prior to traveling to Mogadishu or any other part of Somalia. According to the advisory, E-Visas are mandatory for all travelers heading to Mogadishu, and even those transiting through or traveling to Hargeisa may be asked to present an entry visa at departure points. Full Article
Hobyo, Galmudug The long-anticipated construction of Hobyo Port has officially commenced, marking a major step forward for trade, investment, and maritime infrastructure in Galmudug State and Somalia at large. The project is being executed by a prominent Turkish construction company, whose team of experienced engineers has arrived in Hobyo to oversee and lead the implementation of the port development. Full Article
Hobyo, Mudug The Minister of Commerce of the Galmudug State Government, Abdi Jama Keyse, arrived today in the coastal city of Hobyo, Mudug region. His visit is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen trade and economic development in the region, particularly around the strategic Hobyo Port. Full Article
London – November 15, 2025 BBC World Service has failed to fully comply with three demands issued by former U.S. President Donald Trump, following allegations that the broadcaster's Panorama program distorted a 2021 speech and damaged his public image. According to Trump's legal team, the three conditions were: Full Article
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Somali Identification Team Meets With World Bank Officials To Boost ID Efforts In Somalia
Somali Identification Team Meets With World Bank Officials To Boost ID Efforts In Somalia