Horumar

16.11.2025 – Mogadishu, Somalia

After a week of speculation and online debate, the Somali government has finally confirmed a major cyberattack on its electronic visa platform, compromising the personal data of tens of thousands of travellers from multiple countries. The revelation comes after leaked data fueled questions about the government’s transparency. But one question remains: does this response do enough to address the looming aviation and security crisis? Let’s unpack events and the background.

What was hacked?

On 10 November 2025, accounts on social media began sharing alleged data from the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency showcasing images of passports, addresses, and other forms of ID which raised concerns.

The hack was confirmed by both the U.S. and U.K. embassies. The U.S. Embassy explained it had received “credible reports” that unidentified hackers infiltrated the Somali government’s official e-visa system. At least 35,000 applicants may have had their sensitive data exposed, including names, photos, dates of birth, marital status, addresses, and email contacts.

The embassy warned that the breach “is ongoing and could expose any personal data entered into the system,” advising travellers to exercise caution before applying. The UK issued a similar advisory, cautioning visitors to “consider the risks before applying for an e-visa required for travel to Somalia.”

Online speculation has run wild, with rumours linking the hackers to Somaliland sympathisers or rogue actors tied to the UAE. So far, no evidence has emerged, leaving these claims firmly in the realm of conspiracy theory.

What has the Federal Government said?

After a week of silence, the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency has finally confirmed a breach of its e-Visa system. The announcement follows mounting pressure at home and abroad, with both the UK and US warning citizens against applying amid growing concerns over data insecurity.

Consequently, the government pledged to form a national investigation committee to determine the scale of the breach and assess the damage caused with a full report set to be released once complete. In addition, the government pledged to directly notify individuals who may have been affected, urging the public to rely solely on official the Somali Immigration authorities to avoid misinformation or fraud.

The director of the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafa Dhuhulow, addressed the breach for the first time on Saturday. “There has been fake news circulating about the e-Visa, and we are closely tracking the perpetrators,” he said. He added, “We will not tolerate attacks on programs that form the backbone of the nation.”

Critics: A History of Unfulfilled Pledges

While some have welcomed the statement, critics argue that this is déjà vu: previous government committees formed to probe state scandals have often disappeared without a trace into Somalia’s political whirlwind.

Take the al-Shabaab Liido beach suicide bombing in August 2022 for example. Villa Somalia setup a ministerial-level committee including Interior and Security to probe into the devastating al-Shabaab attack. However, by early 2023, the committee had ceased all public communication with no interim findings released despite public pressure.

Another notable example is the Special Joint Investigation Committee on the Danab Brigade Corruption scandal. This committee was established by yet another Presidential Directive in April 2024 after a whistleblower revealed that up to 40% of monthly rations valued at millions of USD were being siphoned by rogue elements resulting in the U.S. government cutting funds.Despite a pledge to release a report by June 2024, no interim report was released and as of November 2025, it is dormant.

What is e-Visa and why was it implemented?

An electronic visa also known as e-visa is a digital travel authorisation that allows visitors to apply online instead of going to an embassy or consulate. Travellers submit their details, passport information, and documents through an online form, pay electronically, and receive an approval notice by email or a digital portal. The Somali Immirgation Agency charges travellers USD $64 for a visa. Previously, travellers to Somalia would pay a visa on arrival with various costs depending on the federal state.

The Somali Federal Government has argued that e-visas are essential for strengthening national security, particularly in the fight against terrorism. Since 2024, security forces in Puntland state have been engaged in an intensive campaign against ISIS cells entrenched in the Cal Miskaad mountain range. The operations have severely weakened ISIS’s infrastructure and confined the group to only a handful of hideouts. Crucially, these offensives uncovered dozens of foreign fighters and their families who had managed to join ISIS in Somalia, highlighting how gaps in traditional immigration screening had allowed extremists to enter the country with relative ease.

Tensions with Somaliland and Puntland

Tensions between the Somali Federal Government and the regional administrations of Puntland and Somaliland have long been high, fueled by the bombing of Laascaanood, the creation of the North East State, constitutional reforms, and disagreements over the electoral framework. In early November 2025, Somaliland and Puntland took a significant step toward cooperation by reaching an agreement to jointly address their grievances with the federal government in the newly established North East State region.

For those unfamiliar with the grievances that have led to current tensions, here’s a brief summary:

• Puntland:
  • March 2024: Garowe cut ties with the Federal Government due to disputed constitutional amendments by the Somali Parliament. Garowe condemned the changes as a unilateral power grab although Villa Somalia denies these allegations.
  • December 2024: Garowe has also criticised Mogadishu for alleged ‘politicisation’ of the ISIS war, accusing Mogadishu providing limited to no material support.
  • October/November 2025: Somali government has distanced itself from allegations that UAE has used Bosaso airport to transport Colombian mercenaries and weapons to the RSF in Darfur. Defence Minister Fiqi accused Puntland state of possible foresight, although Garowe has denied this.
• Somaliland:
  • August 2025: The federal government recognised the newly formed North East State which encompases Sool, Sanaag and parts of Togdheer, claimed by Somaliland as part of its territory.
  • 2024: The signing of the illegal MoU between separatist Somaliland authorities and Ethiopia resulted in a political squable between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.

Lastly, both Puntland and Somaliland alongside Jubaland accuse the Federal government of politicising federal funding as well as international aid. This issue alongside the above mentioned tensions serve as a background to current increasing tensions with Somaliland and Puntland.

In November, Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Irro announced that Somaliland would not recognise the Federal e-visa system. Somaliland’s foreign minister reiterated that “anyone travelling to Somaliland will obtain their visa on arrival,”. However, airlines including Ethiopian Airlines and FlyDubai have largely refused to board passengers without valid Somali e-visa approval, leaving several travellers stranded at airports. Dozens of videos surfaced of Somalis travelling to Hargeisa stranded at international airports.

Similarly, Puntland has refused to implement the Federal government’s e-visa scheme, continuing instead to impose its own visa-on-arrival regime on travellers entering the region.

Ordinary Somalis Pay the Price

As is often the case in Somali affairs, ordinary Somalis bear the brunt both literally and figuratively. Thousands have been stranded due to conflicting statements from authorities in Mogadishu, Hargeisa, and Garowe. Meanwhile, Somalis travelling to Hargeisa and Garowe are paying double. For example, travellers to Puntland have to pay USD $64 for the federal e-Visa and an additional $60 for visa-on-arrival in Garowe or Bosaso.

Although the Federal government attempted to increase revenue and streamline applications to ease the process for travellers, the lack of consultation with regional administrations has instead created confusion and risks escalating tesions.

So What Next?

Many commend the Somali government’s efforts to modernise immigration, strenghten national security and unify the country, especially at a time where ISIS has seen a surge in the north as well as threats to Somalia’s sovereignty and unity.

However, the Somali government cannot expect cooperation from federal states while simultaneously taking unilateral actions or politicising regional affairs. For instance, politicising federal and aid funding against Puntland or unilaterally implementing an election framework without national consent will only increase distrust while undermining the cooperation needed to successfully implement such nationwide changes.