Reclaim Your Somali Identity: Why the Diaspora Should Embrace Dual Citizenship and the Somali Passport

 

As a member of the Somali diaspora who has returned to our homeland, I stand in the vibrant heart of Mogadishu, where the call to prayer mingles with the hum of rebuilding a nation. Through my blog, MogaTribunal, I’ve shared stories of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable spirit of Somalis across the globe. I’ve walked the markets of Hamarweyne, worked alongside local entrepreneurs, and witnessed the transformation of a country rising from decades of hardship. But I’ve also seen the dangerous spread of misinformation, particularly about Somalia’s eVisa system, that seeks to divide our diaspora from the homeland we love. 

Today, I write to you to reject the divisive narratives, embrace dual citizenship, and secure your Somali passport. This is not just about a travel document; it’s about reclaiming your place in Somalia’s future, contributing to its growth, and standing proudly as a citizen of a nation on the cusp of greatness.

The Diaspora’s Vital Role in Somalia’s Rebirth

We, the Somali diaspora, are not just a community abroad, we are a cornerstone of Somalia’s survival and progress. In 2024, our remittances totaled approximately $2 billion, accounting for 20-30% of Somalia’s GDP.

These funds have built schools, powered hospitals, and sustained families through droughts and conflict. They’ve fueled small businesses in Mogadishu, supported orphans in Galkayo, and funded scholarships in Hargeisa. As someone living here, I see the impact of your contributions every day: the new clinics opening, the roads being paved, the young coders launching tech startups. Your money is not just a lifeline, it’s a catalyst for a Somalia that’s reclaiming its place on the global stage.

Yet, despite this immense contribution, a wave of misinformation, spread through WhatsApp groups, social media, and even some vocal critics, has painted Somalia’s new eVisa system as an attack on the diaspora. Launched on September 1, 2025, the eVisa requires all foreign passport holders to apply online at evisa.gov.so, submitting passport details and a modest fee of $60 for a single-entry visa. 

Critics claim this system “alienates” the diaspora, questioning our identity and imposing unfair hurdles. As a diaspora member who’s navigated this system and returned home, I can tell you unequivocally: this narrative is not just false, it’s dangerous. It seeks to drive a wedge between us and our homeland, exploiting our emotions to undermine the very unity we need to rebuild Somalia.

Debunking the eVisa Myths with Facts

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the eVisa is not anti-diaspora. It’s a modern, transparent system designed to enhance border security, combat fraud, and streamline entry for all visitors, regardless of their background.

Somalia, like any sovereign nation, has the right to regulate its borders. The old visa-on-arrival system was chaotic, prone to corruption, and a weak link in a country fighting al-Shabaab and other security threats. The eVisa replaces this with a digital process that verifies travelers’ identities, ensures compliance with immigration laws, and directs fees into national development, roads, schools, and security measures that benefit us all.

The $60 fee? It’s a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands you already spend on flights, accommodations, and supporting local businesses during your visits. Compare it to other nations: Ireland charges €100 for a short-stay visa, India’s OCI card costs $80-$100 plus renewals, and Ethiopia’s Yellow Card involves fees and applications.

Somalia’s fee is modest, yet it’s being weaponized by detractors to claim the government is “hassling” the diaspora. This is absurd. The fee isn’t a tax on your identity, it’s an investment in the Somalia we all want, one where your remittances can go further because the nation is stable and secure.

Then there’s the claim that the eVisa “denies” our citizenship. This stems from a misinterpretation of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s statement that those carrying foreign passports are not automatically recognized as Somali citizens without proper documentation.

This isn’t a rejection of your Somalinimo, it’s a call for legal clarity in a nation rebuilding from decades of conflict. Somalia’s constitution, while recognizing our shared heritage, requires formal documentation for citizenship rights, just as your host countries demand visas or passports for entry. The President’s words, taken out of context, have been twisted by WhatsApp rumor mills and regional actors to sow distrust. Don’t fall for it.

The Real Culprit: Regional Division, Not Federal Policy

If you’ve faced issues with the eVisa, look closer, it’s often not the federal government’s doing. Regions like Puntland and Somaliland, operating outside federal authority, have imposed their own visa requirements or additional fees, confusing travelers and undermining the eVisa system. For example, travelers landing in Garowe have reported paying an extra $60 on top of the federal eVisa fee, a move by local authorities to assert control, not a policy from Mogadishu. These regional tactics fuel the false narrative that Somalia’s government is targeting the diaspora. As someone on the ground, I’ve seen how these divisions, often amplified by clan-based WhatsApp groups, threaten the unity we need to move forward.

The federal government is working to harmonize these discrepancies, but it’s a complex process in a nation still knitting itself together after years of fragmentation. Instead of blaming Mogadishu, we should call out these regional power plays for what they are: attempts to weaken the federal system that’s fighting for all Somalis, including the diaspora.

The Power of Dual Citizenship: Your Key to Belonging

Now, here’s the game changer: you don’t need to deal with the eVisa at all. Since 2020, Somalia has recognized dual citizenship, allowing you to hold a Somali passport alongside your foreign one. 

With a Somali passport, you’re exempt from visa requirements entirely, no fees, no online applications, just the right to enter your homeland as a citizen. This is the path I chose, and I can’t overstate the pride I felt holding that blue passport at Aden Adde International Airport, knowing I was home not as a visitor, but as a Somali.

Why should you get a Somali passport? Let’s break it down logically:

1. Legal Recognition and Rights: A Somali passport formalizes your citizenship, granting you rights that foreign passport holders don’t have. You can own property, vote in elections, and start businesses without the bureaucratic hurdles faced by non-citizens. In Mogadishu, I’ve met diaspora members opening restaurants, tech startups, and NGOs, all made easier because they reclaimed their Somali citizenship. Your remittances already support Somalia; a passport lets you shape its future directly.

2. Practical Benefits: Beyond bypassing the eVisa, a Somali passport simplifies travel within the Horn of Africa and signals your commitment to the nation. It’s a practical tool for those of us who visit regularly, whether to see family, invest, or contribute to community projects. The process is straightforward, contact your nearest Somali embassy or consulate, provide the required documents, and join the growing number of diaspora reclaiming their identity.

3. Symbol of Unity and National Pride: Holding a Somali passport is a powerful statement. It says you’re part of Somalia’s story, not just a bystander. On MogaTribunal, I’ve written about our shared heritage—poets like Hadrawi, traders who crossed the Indian Ocean, warriors who defended our sovereignty. A Somali passport connects you to that legacy, not as a memory but as a living commitment. Dual citizenship means you don’t have to choose between your life abroad and your roots here. It’s a bridge, not a barrier.

4. Security and Stability: Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab and internal instability requires clear systems for identifying who enters the country. As a diaspora member, I’ve seen the security checkpoints and the tireless work of the Somali National Army. A Somali passport ensures you’re recognized as a citizen, not a potential risk, helping the government focus resources on real threats. This isn’t about exclusion, it’s about protecting the Somalia we’re all building.

My Journey Back and Why It Matters

Let me share my story. Like many of you, I left Somalia under difficult circumstances, carrying the weight of displacement but never losing my love for our culture, the poetry, the camel-milk tea, the laughter of family gatherings. Abroad, I built a life, but Somalia never left me. Through MogaTribunal, I’ve chronicled my return: the joy of reconnecting with cousins in Mogadishu, the thrill of seeing new buildings rise, the challenges of navigating a nation still healing. Getting my Somali passport was a turning point. It wasn’t just a document; it was a declaration that I’m a Somali, here to contribute, to build.

Since returning, I’ve seen the diaspora’s impact firsthand. In Mogadishu’s tech hubs, diaspora Somalis are mentoring coders. In the markets, they’re investing in local traders. In schools, they’re funding scholarships. But I’ve also seen the frustration when diaspora members arrive with foreign passports, expecting special treatment, only to face delays or regional fees. The solution isn’t to fight the system, it’s to join it. A Somali passport cuts through the red tape and aligns you with the federal government’s vision for a united, prosperous Somalia.

Rejecting Divisive Narratives

The misinformation about the eVisa often comes from WhatsApp groups and social media, where clan-based narratives or regional agendas thrive. These voices claim the government is alienating you, questioning your Somaliness, or profiting off your visits. As someone living here, I can tell you this is a distortion. The eVisa is a tool for progress, not punishment. It’s about creating a Somalia where your remittances go further because the nation is secure and stable. And the passport? It’s your ticket to being part of that progress, not a bystander.

Some critics point to regional issues, like Puntland and Somaliland’s extra fees, as proof of federal failure. But this is precisely why we need unity. These regions’ actions undermine the federal system that’s fighting for all Somalis. By securing your Somali passport, you’re siding with a vision of one Somalia, not fragmented fiefdoms. You’re rejecting the divisive scripts that tell you Mogadishu doesn’t want you.

A Call to Action for the Diaspora

My fellow diaspora Somalis, you are not outsiders. You are the heartbeat of this nation, the ones who kept Somalia alive through your remittances, your advocacy, your love. Now, it’s time to take the next step. Contact your nearest Somali embassy or consulate and apply for your Somali passport. The process is accessible, and dual citizenship means you lose nothing from your life abroad, you only gain a stronger connection to home. 

Imagine landing in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, or Bosaso with your Somali passport, walking through immigration as a citizen, not a visitor. Imagine investing in a business, buying land, or voting in elections, knowing you’re shaping Somalia’s future. Imagine the pride of holding a document that ties you to our history and our dreams. I’ve done it, and through MogaTribunal, I’ve shared how it’s transformed my connection to this land. You can do it too.

The Bigger Picture: Somalia’s Future

Somalia is at a turning point. The eVisa is part of a broader effort to modernize, from digital governance to stronger security. New schools are opening, ports are expanding, and tech startups are thriving. Our remittances have laid the foundation; our active participation can build the skyscrapers.

But this requires unity. The WhatsApp rumors and regional divisions are distractions, pulling us back when we should be surging forward. A Somali passport is more than a travel document, it’s a commitment to that unity, a rejection of the forces that want to keep Somalia fragmented. It’s a way to ensure your voice is heard, your investments are protected, and your heritage is celebrated.

Join the Movement

I urge you to act today. Visit your nearest Somali embassy or consulate and start the process for your Somali passport. Check the requirements, gather your documents, and take pride in formalizing your place in our nation. If you’re unsure, reach out to community organizations or follow MogaTribunal for guidance, we’re here to help. 

Our remittances have shown the world what the diaspora can do; now, let’s show Somalia what we can build together.

As I write from Mogadishu, I see a nation on the rise, cranes dotting the skyline, youth coding the future, families reuniting. I see a Somalia that’s not just surviving but thriving, and I want you to be part of it. Get your Somali passport, embrace dual citizenship, and come home as a citizen. Let’s write the next chapter of Somalia’s story together, not as visitors, but as Somalis, united, proud, and unstoppable.

For more stories of Somalia’s resilience and how you can contribute, visit MogaTribunal.blogspot.com.

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Mohamed Hassan, a passionate Diaspora Somali-based civil society advocate, champions fair elections and national sovereignty while critiquing emotional narratives with sharp-witted calls for reason.

📧 Contact: moxassan@gmail.com 

X/Twitter: @MoHassanM_