Mogadishu (WDN) – Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) have jointly unveiled sweeping new regulations that make the National Identity Card central to accessing government services, a move that could have far-reaching political and practical implications for Puntland and Somaliland, both of which have refused to recognize the NIRA-issued identity card.

The measures are part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to modernize official documentation, improve national security, strengthen the integrity of Somali passports, and implement a Council of Ministers resolution requiring the National ID to serve as the primary form of identification for public and private sector services.

Under the new directives, effective July 1, every Somali citizen applying for any type of Somali passport must possess a valid National Identity Card issued by NIRA. The requirement effectively makes the federal identity card a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining one of the country’s most important travel documents.

The government has also announced that beginning October 1, all travelers on domestic flights within Somalia will be required to present the National ID to verify their identity. Until then, passengers will be encouraged—but not required—to carry the card as authorities prepare for the nationwide rollout of the new system.

ICA and NIRA said they will work closely with government ministries and public institutions to improve the reliability and credibility of Somalia’s official documents. The agencies also pledged to intensify efforts to combat forged documents, prevent identity fraud, and protect the integrity of citizens’ records within the national registry.

In addition, the two agencies plan to launch nationwide public awareness campaigns aimed at educating citizens on the importance of the National ID and promoting its use across government services. While federal authorities describe the reforms as a major milestone in strengthening governance, improving service delivery, and enhancing the international standing of Somali identity documents, the measures are likely to deepen existing political disputes with Puntland and Somaliland.

Both administrations have consistently rejected the NIRA identity system, arguing that it was introduced without broad political consensus. Puntland has maintained that the federal government lacked the constitutional authority to unilaterally implement a national identification system without agreement from the Federal Member States, while Somaliland, which considers itself independent from Somalia, has refused to participate in the federal registration framework altogether.

The new requirements could create significant practical challenges for residents of both territories. Unless alternative arrangements are reached, Somali citizens living in Puntland and Somaliland who have not obtained a NIRA-issued National ID may face obstacles in applying for Somali passports or traveling on domestic flights operated under the new federal regulations.

The policy also sets the stage for a potential constitutional and political confrontation over the extent of Mogadishu’s authority to impose nationwide administrative requirements in regions that dispute the federal government’s jurisdiction over such matters.

As the implementation deadlines approach, attention is likely to focus on whether the Federal Government and the administrations in Puntland and Somaliland can bridge their differences, or whether the National ID initiative will become another flashpoint in Somalia’s long-running debates over federalism, constitutional authority, and the distribution of power between Mogadishu and the country’s regional administrations.

WardheerNews