EU targets Somalia with visa curbs as president pushes back on returns
Summary
The European Union has restricted visas for Somali citizens to pressure Somalia into accepting the return of people living illegally in Europe. Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his country will accept genuine Somali returnees but noted some people claiming Somali identity are not actually Somali.Key Facts
- The EU stopped issuing multiple-entry visas to Somali citizens.
- The visa fee waiver for diplomatic passport holders from Somalia was removed.
- Visa processing times for Somalis have increased from 15 to 45 days.
- Somalia was found to be not cooperating enough in taking back nationals refused stay in Europe.
- President Mohamud said some people returned as Somalis were not Somali and spoke no Somali language.
- Somalia is recovering from decades of conflict and faces ongoing attacks from the al-Shabab group.
- Many Somalis travel through dangerous routes, including Libya, to reach Europe.
- The EU has used similar visa restrictions on other countries like The Gambia and Ethiopia.
- The United States also imposed travel bans affecting Somalia under President Trump’s administration.
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