Somalia and Somaliland conflict airspace and E visa dispute and more
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US and UK warn of major e-visa data breach in Somalia
At least 35,000 people could be affected, warns the US embassy
A major data breach in Somalia's electronic visa system may have exposed personal information belonging to tens of thousands of applicants, including US citizens, the American embassy in Somalia has warned.
It said it had received credible reports that "unidentified hackers" had penetrated the Somali government's e-visa platform, potentially compromising data from at least 35,000 people.
The leaked documents circulating online include names, photos, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses and email contacts, according to a US embassy statement issued on Thursday.
"This data breach is ongoing and could expose any personal data you enter into the system," the UK has also warned travellers.
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"Consider the risks before applying for an e-visa required for travel to Somalia."
Somali authorities have not commented on the breach. But the government has shifted its visa service from evisa.gov.so to etas.gov.so, without providing an official explanation.
"While Embassy Mogadishu is unable to confirm whether an individual's data is part of the breach, individuals who have applied for a Somali e-visa may be affected," the US' statement said.
The BBC has contacted the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) for comment.
Somalia's new system requires all travellers, including those from the self-declared republic of Somaliland and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, to apply for entry visas online.
Critics say travellers have faced extra fees in certain regions, amounting to double charges.
Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, governs itself with its own institutions but has not been internationally recognised. Somalia maintains that the region remains part of its sovereign territory.
The alleged breach adds to long-running tensions between Mogadishu and Hargeisa over control of Somali airspace. While Somalia re-established full control of its airspace in 2017, Somaliland continues to contest the arrangement.
The dispute escalated further this week when Somaliland's President Abdirahman Irro said Somaliland would not accept Somalia's e-visa and ordered that airlines must obtain clearance from Hargeisa before entering its airspace.
Yet major airlines have refused to board passengers without Somalia's e-visa approval.
On Saturday, Somaliland's Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aadan again insisted that "anyone travelling to Somaliland will obtain their visa on arrival", saying Somalia's e-visa system was not safe and warning that "people's data can fall into the hands of extremist groups" as a result of using it.
The stand-off has left some travellers heading to Somaliland stranded at airports after being denied boarding for lacking Somalia's e-visa.
Somaliland's Civil Aviation Minister, Fu'aad Ahmed Nuux, has told the BBC that the directives - first announced earlier this year - came into effect on 10 November.
He said airlines that do not comply will be told to divert, and claimed several aircraft had already been rerouted.
Footage released by Somaliland's aviation ministry appears to show local air-traffic controllers issuing instructions to international pilots - a move celebrated domestically as an assertion of Somaliland's autonomy.
But the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority insists it retains sole administrative and legal control over the Mogadishu Flight Information Region (FIR), which covers the whole nation's airspace. It has ordered all aircraft to ignore any instructions issued by authorities other than Mogadishu.
It warned that failing to comply with Somali and international aviation rules could pose safety risks and lead to "serious legal consequences".
Additional reporting by Natasha Booty.
It’s official Somaliland has one the e visa battle the west is calling that Somalia govt cannot protect its data . Although we should not condone Somaliland cyber hackers they were behind it but because Somalia govt didn’t take measures to secure the network this breach cost the Somali govt to lose this battle for now , it’s one nill for Somaliland. How ever the airspace is still contested Somalia still asserts control over airspace over berbera and Hargeisa since icao doesn’t recognize Somaliland and Somaliland doesn’t have a FIR so Somalia still controls this airspace of all Somalia including Somaliland . But it’s seems the e visa is off the table as of now . How ever Somali goverment can re impose it if they want it they just have to make sure the western govt back its e visa again
that’s the status now
that’s the status now
Somalia shuts down E-TAS system after major security breach exposes travelers data
Monday November 17, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s immigration authority has confirmed a security breach in the country’s newly launched E-TAS travel system, exposing the data of some passengers.
The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency said Sunday that unauthorized actors infiltrated the E-TAS platform, prompting officials to immediately shut it down and open an urgent investigation aimed at limiting the damage.
In a statement, the agency said the federal government has formed a national investigative committee composed of security agencies, international forensic experts, and data-protection authorities to examine the breach. A full report will be released once the investigation is complete, detailing the findings and steps the government plans to take to prevent future intrusions.
“The agency regrets this incident and reaffirms that protecting the privacy of our citizens and our national services is our top priority,” the statement said.
The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu warned that personal information belonging to more than 35,000 travelers may have been exposed, after unidentified hackers allegedly compromised Somalia’s electronic visa system. Washington’s warning has deepened scrutiny of the digital platform and raised new questions about the federal government’s ability to secure sensitive data.
Somalia rolled out its mandatory e-visa program on Sept. 1, describing it as a critical step in modernizing immigration controls, strengthening security screening, and improving revenue transparency. All foreign travelers are required to apply online before entering the country.
Somaliland rejected the platform outright, insisting that only visas issued by its own authorities are valid in its territory. Puntland denounced the federal e-visa as “illegal,” arguing that regional administrations not Mogadishu hold authority over airports and border points.
The breach now threatens to deepen those political rifts, casting fresh doubt over a platform the federal government has promoted as a cornerstone of its security and governance reforms.
Monday November 17, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s immigration authority has confirmed a security breach in the country’s newly launched E-TAS travel system, exposing the data of some passengers.
The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency said Sunday that unauthorized actors infiltrated the E-TAS platform, prompting officials to immediately shut it down and open an urgent investigation aimed at limiting the damage.
In a statement, the agency said the federal government has formed a national investigative committee composed of security agencies, international forensic experts, and data-protection authorities to examine the breach. A full report will be released once the investigation is complete, detailing the findings and steps the government plans to take to prevent future intrusions.
“The agency regrets this incident and reaffirms that protecting the privacy of our citizens and our national services is our top priority,” the statement said.
The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu warned that personal information belonging to more than 35,000 travelers may have been exposed, after unidentified hackers allegedly compromised Somalia’s electronic visa system. Washington’s warning has deepened scrutiny of the digital platform and raised new questions about the federal government’s ability to secure sensitive data.
Somalia rolled out its mandatory e-visa program on Sept. 1, describing it as a critical step in modernizing immigration controls, strengthening security screening, and improving revenue transparency. All foreign travelers are required to apply online before entering the country.
Somaliland rejected the platform outright, insisting that only visas issued by its own authorities are valid in its territory. Puntland denounced the federal e-visa as “illegal,” arguing that regional administrations not Mogadishu hold authority over airports and border points.
The breach now threatens to deepen those political rifts, casting fresh doubt over a platform the federal government has promoted as a cornerstone of its security and governance reforms.
Garaad Awal
Former African
Boqor of Caynabo & Ceelafweyn has spoken
Somalia has no authority over anything they pretend the paper that says it but realistically cannot enforce real compliance on Berbera or Hargeisa without controlling the territory.
Enforcement requires control or capacity, and Somalia has neither over Berbera.
How are you gonna say that failure to do so will lead in seizures. How can that happen when you cannot step foot where it arrives
Enforcement requires control or capacity, and Somalia has neither over Berbera.
How are you gonna say that failure to do so will lead in seizures. How can that happen when you cannot step foot where it arrives
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