By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The government has opened the doors for acquisition of Somali passports.
The Principal Immigration officer-PIO Mr. Mohamed Ali Yusuf revealed this, while informing that his department only issues Somaliland passports.
This was in reaction to the Saudi Arabia’s government refusal to accept the Somaliland passport as a valid travel document to that country for Somalilanders wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage at the holy city of Mecca.
The announcement by the Saudis that raised much debate saw some members of the council of ministers campaigning for citizens to abstain in this year’s holy pilgrim in protest against the decision by the Saudis that is an affront of the country’s nationhood.
According to the PIO those without alternate passports and want to perform Hajj, have the full authority of the government to solicit the Saudi accepted Somaliweyn one in Mogadishu.
Said he, “You are free to seek any foreign passports that are acceptable to the Saudi’s”
