By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan), 7 August 2026 — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has called on cabinet members and senior government officials to travel on Somali passports, saying the move is essential to safeguard the reputation, dignity and honour of Somali statehood.
Speaking at a cabinet press conference in Mogadishu on Thursday, the Prime Minister said leaders have a responsibility to strengthen public confidence in state institutions and national symbols.
He urged officials to prioritize the use of Somali passports when travelling abroad, adding that leaders should set an example for the public by using their country’s official travel documents.
The Prime Minister also praised Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji for embracing the Somali passport and for returning a foreign passport he previously held.
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He described the move as a demonstration of confidence in the Somali passport and in state institutions, and urged other officials to take similar steps to enhance the honour and reputation of the nation.
The remarks come amid recent reports in Kenya involving passports reportedly held by senior Somali officials.
In June, Kenyan media reported that Deputy Prime Minister Jibril was denied entry to Kenya after immigration authorities questioned a Kenyan passport he was alleged to have held. Jibril later denied the reports, calling the claims baseless.