The Government of Somalia has registered,1,345 foreigners in the capital Mogadishu, official said.
General Abdullahi Gafow Mohamoud, the Director of Immigration and Citizenship of Somalia, stated those listed included diplomats, NGOs staff and business people.
“The operation to register the foreigners in the city was for the Somali government to remain informed about the people in the country,” said Gen Gafow.
On May 9, the Somali Cabinet raised concerns over the influx of illegal foreigners in the country.
It had been reported that up to 924 people from different countries were working in diverse sectors in Mogadishu without authorisation from the government.
Consequently, the Prime Minister, Mr Abdi Farah Shirdon, ordered the registration of foreigners, stating that investors needed papers from the ministry of Commerce while foreign workers required work permits.
“We appointed four government ministers to enquire into the abnormality involving illegal engagement of foreign workers,” said a Cabinet memo released on May 9.
The declaration by the Immigration Department was in response to the ministerial requirement to identify and enlist all illegal foreigners staying without the government’s knowledge, according to Gen. Gafow.
Peacekeepers
For over two decades, Somalia has had no proper agencies to discharge several duties, including keeping proper records of foreigners in the country.
Meanwhile, Somalia celebrated in Mogadishu the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity/ African Union on Thursday.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud was joined by the AU, UK, EU and other diplomats at Halane, the main base of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amison) in the Somali capital.
President Mohamoud stated that Somalia was proud to be among OAU founding members some 50 years ago.
He added that Africa had the required resources for development.
“Africa’s potential to make the 21st century, Africa’s Century is enormous,” remarked the Somali leader.
He added that Somalia contributed to the struggle to liberate the rest of Africa and was now getting assistance as needs arose.
The President thanked countries contributing to Amisom peacekeepers and Ethiopia for their sacrifices.
“Somalis will always honour the role of the peacekeepers and will never forget.”
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