Hargeysa (Dawan Africa) – The Ministry of Interior and Security of Somaliland has announced an immediate ban on the import of armored vehicles and pickup trucks, locally referred to as qabalka. The order, effective 13 August 2025, applies across all regions of Somaliland until further notice.
In a statement, the Ministry said the directive is aimed at safeguarding public security and is part of broader measures to strengthen internal safety.
“It formally announces that, starting from today’s date, it prohibits the import of armored vehicles and pickup trucks, and that no such vehicles may be imported without authorization until a new directive is issued,” the statement read.
Authorities noted that Somaliland has previously implemented similar measures to control weapons and equipment that could be used to threaten public safety, with this latest step targeting vehicle types considered to pose specific security risks.
