Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, received on Monday in his office at the ministry in the capital, Mogadishu, the Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Ahmed Said Mohamed, and discussed with him strategies for increasing coordination and the necessity of concerted efforts and simplifying operations to provide optimal service to citizens.
During the meeting, several significant matters were addressed, including the management of official passports, such as service and diplomatic passports, and the potential for collaborative tracking and monitoring of shipments through an electronic system prior to printing.
As a result of the meeting, a significant decision was reached to temporarily halt the issuance of service passports for a duration of three months. This measure aims to facilitate a more structured approach to passport issuance and enhance the overall integrity of the process. Furthermore, the delegation of authority for approving service passport issuance will undergo an official transfer from the Consular Affairs Department to the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, signalling a strategic realignment in administrative responsibilities.
Discussions also revolved around expediting procedures once the Ministry’s requirements for printing passports were met, ensuring prompt processing without any delays.