By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, July 7 2026 – Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar defended the eVisa system in response to criticism from presidential candidate Nuradin Aden Dirie following recent European Union visa restrictions on Somali nationals.
Omar said the EU measures, which tightened short-stay visa access for Somali nationals, were linked to migration and readmission policies rather than a judgment on Somalia’s domestic administration.
“Presenting this as an institutional humiliation is inaccurate and politically counterproductive,” Omar said in a statement on social media on Tuesday.
Nuradin Aden Dirie had earlier described the EU visa restrictions as a “stinging institutional humiliation,” asserting they highlighted failures in Somalia’s governance.
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Omar countered that Somalia’s eVisa platform was introduced to modernize border procedures, facilitate legal travel, and strengthen security, noting that similar EU visa tools have been applied to countries including Ethiopia, Iraq, Bangladesh, Gambia, and Senegal.
“Responsible leadership does not exaggerate setbacks for political gain,” Omar wrote, adding that the system supports citizens and encourages constructive international engagement.
The EU recently cited insufficient cooperation on the return of irregular migrants as justification for its tightened visa protocols, affecting travel for Somali citizens.