3/15/2025
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Somalia to require airlines to submit passenger data for border security
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    Monday March 10, 2025



    FILE - A Somali immigration officer processes a passenger's passport at Mogadishu's international airport. As part of new security measures, the Somali government will require airlines to submit Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data to enhance border control starting March 2025. Credit: Daud Aweis/Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism

    Mogadishu (HOL) — The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has mandated that all international airlines operating in the country provide Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data starting March 31, 2025. The directive hopes to enhance border security and combat threats such as terrorism and transnational crime, aligning with Somalia’s Immigration Act No. 9 of 1966 and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 2178 and 2396.

    The Immigration and Citizenship Agency has expressed gratitude for the support of the U.S. Embassy in Somalia, which has helped implement this critical security measure. The U.S. has long integrated PNR data into its own security systems, recognizing its importance in preventing terrorism. Somalia’s adoption of this policy will improve its ability to screen passengers and monitor individuals entering the country more effectively.

    Somalia has faced significant security challenges, particularly from al-Shabaab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda. The group has exploited weaknesses in the country’s security, including its borders. The introduction of API and PNR requirements is part of a broader global effort to prevent the movement of foreign terrorist fighters, with international partners, including the United Nations, urging countries like Somalia to adopt data-sharing practices.

    The U.S. State Department has issued travel advisories for Somalia due to ongoing concerns about terrorism and crime, emphasizing the importance of stronger border control measures. The new policy is expected to strengthen Somalia’s security infrastructure and help combat threats posed by al-Shabaab and other extremist groups.

    The new measure will align Somalia with international standards for border control, improving the country’s ability to detect and prevent security threats.

     





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