Garowe, Somalia – What should have been a routine arrival for Somali citizens has instead turned into a devastating ordeal, exposing the human cost of political disputes between Somalia’s federal and regional authorities.
This morning at Garowe International Airport, passengers who had already paid $64 online for their federal entry visas were told by local immigration officers that they must pay an additional $60 to be allowed entry. Long lines of exhausted travelers—including mothers with children—were forced to hand over the money in frustration and disbelief.
One mother of three, despite holding a valid visa, was compelled to spend nearly $500 just to return home. Her voice broke as she described the humiliation: “I followed the law. I paid. And still, they treated me like I had no rights.”
The Somali Constitution is clear: immigration falls under federal jurisdiction. Yet the clash between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Puntland has left ordinary citizens trapped—paying the price for political disputes over authority and revenue.
This is not an isolated case. Across Somalia, citizens face similar struggles when political disagreements spill into essential services. Whether through double taxation, disrupted programs, or even violence, ordinary families suffer while leaders debate power and money.
The incident in Garowe highlights a deeper issue: governance that prioritizes political control over the dignity of citizens. The practice of charging travelers twice is not simply bureaucratic confusion—it is predatory.
Somali citizens are calling for immediate intervention. Federal and state authorities must coordinate, respect the law, and protect the rights of their people. The alternative is a growing crisis of trust, where citizens lose faith in their own government.
“I am not interested in who wins between Mogadishu and Garowe,” said one passenger. “I am interested in whether my children can live with dignity.”
Leaders at every level—federal, state, and local—must take responsibility. This issue is urgent, heartbreaking, and unacceptable. Somali citizens deserve better.
