ICA Somalia establishing professional relationships with international organizations

On May 16, 2024, a high-level delegation from the Immigration Agency of Somalia, led by Director General Ahmed Said Mohamed, held a crucial meeting with the Director General of the Immigration Directorate of Norway, Frode Forfang, in Oslo, Norway. During the meeting, both parties engaged in productive discussions on several key areas, among them; Strengthening Cooperation: The delegates explored avenues to enhance cooperation between ICA Somalia and UDI Norway, with the aim of fostering a stronger partnership and aligning their efforts to better serve the people. Capacity Building: The meeting focused on strategies to build the capacity of ICA officials, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and expertise to deliver high-quality services. Infrastructure Development: The delegates discussed plans to develop and improve the infrastructure of ICA, with the goal of enhancing the agency’s capacity to provide efficient and accessible services to the public. “The fruitful discussions in Oslo underscore ICA Somalia’s commitment to continuous improvement and its dedication to providing world-class services to the people of Somalia,” the Immigration Agency said in a post. While in Norway, Ahmed Said Mohamed, Director General of the Agency, also met with the Commissioner of Immigration Police and other officials from the Ministry of Justice and Security, as well as the Norwegian National Identity Center. He presented them with reports on the ICA’s progress in delivering immigration and citizenship services. Additionally, the discussions focused on strengthening and maintaining cooperation between the two countries. On the 15th May, a delegation led by Hussein Abdullahi, the Deputy Director-General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) of Somalia, participated in a crucial meeting organized by the African Union (AU) in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting brought together delegates from various AU member states to discuss collaboration on border management strategy, combating transnational crime, building regional stability and cooperation, and facilitating the seamless movement of people and goods.

The Agency said that its participation in the meeting “underscores the agency’s commitment to regional integration and the implementation of protocols that will benefit the people of Somalia and the broader African continent.” The AU meeting in Kampala is a significant step forward in the continent’s efforts to promote economic integration, security, and the free movement of people and goods. During their stay in Kampala, the officials from the Immigration and Citizenship Agency also attended a high-level meeting organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat. The aim of the meeting was to provide updates on the implementation of protocols related to immigration, labor mobility, disaster management, and pastoralism among IGAD member states. The meeting comes at a significant time, as Uganda recently became the last country in the IGAD region to sign the Protocol on Free Movement of People. This protocol is a crucial step forward in f a c i l i t a t i n g the free movement of persons within the IGAD economic bloc. “The participation of ICA Somalia’s officials demonstrates the agency’s commitment to regional cooperation and the implementation of protocols that will benefit the people of Somalia and the broader IGAD region. The meeting in Kampala provides a platform for IGAD member states to share progress, challenges, and best practices in operationalizing the free movement protocols,” said a statement from ICA. The IGAD Secretariat noted that free movement of people is a key driver. of economic integration and social cohesion in the region, and this meeting is an important step in ensuring the protocols are effectively implemented for the betterment of the citizens. Since Ahmed Said Mohamed was appointed the Director General of the Agency, ICA Somalia has been proactive in establishing professional relationships with international organizations, recognizing the value of collaborative partnerships in driving progress and innovation within the agency.

In terms of trainings and capacity building, the Immigration Agency concluded a training on preventing human trafficking on May 23, 2024, in Mogadishu for officers from the ICA, NISA and the Somali Police. The three-day training provided by foreign and Somali experts equipped participants with knowledge and skills to prevent human trafficking. They were encouraged to apply this knowledge in their workplaces, leading to improved work performance. Human trafficking is illegal. Anyone caught participating in this activity will face severe legal penalties.