The Somali Federal Gov’t in conjunction with the United States and Interpol officially unveiled a modern system which is aimed to exchange flight and passenger information in order to heighten the border security and advance passenger vetting who are entering the country which is part of the efforts to reform the country’s agencies.
The Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) launched the new system which allows the Somali Federal Gov’t to share passenger information and flights to int’l security agencies.
The officials told that the program will help to recognize individuals who are linked with terrorist organizations, smuggling people, and other int’l crimes.
A statement from the immigration and Citizenship Agency stated that the program is a huge step which is aimed to develop the Somali border management systems in order to be in line with the levels of the int’l flight security.
The modern system will be in touch with int’l security agency dubbed Interpol-1-24-7 which is a system that is operational in 195 countries in order to exchange crime information.
It is also in line with the UN Security Council Resolution number 2178 and 2396 which inform to tighten the vetting of flight passengers in order to deal with the travel of foreign fighters.
Security experts said that this a vital step. They have stated that they strongly support the fight against Al-shabab and networks that are involved in organized crimes committed in border areas.
Al-Shabab was responsible for a terrorist attack in 2016 which targeted passenger plane belonging to Daalo Airlines after a man boarded the plane with a bomb.
The plane took off from Adden Adde Int’l Airport in Mogadishu. The blast killed the bomber and left a hole in the plane’s fuselage. The plane was forced to make emergency landing. All passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
Later investigations indicated that a staff at Adden Adde Int’l Airport facilitated the bomber to board the plane with the bomb which demonstrated vulnerabilities of the security situation system in the country.
Somalia heavily invested on the modernization of Adden Adde Int’l Airport in Mogadishu including the construction of new terminal and the establishment of civil aviation institute.
US Federal Aviation Administration banned civil flights which are below 26000 feet in Somalia airspace due to the anti-aircraft weapons that are in the hands of the militant group of Al-shabab. In January, 2024, Al-shabab attacked a helicopter belonging to the UN and its wreckage was found in Central Somalia.
One person confirmed dead while another was abducted. This demonstrated the threat on civil aviation in the country. The modern system which enables to exchange information is part of the efforts of the Somali Federal Gov’t in reforming the security agencies and to have full control of the national security after years of destructions.
Turkey is playing a role in the rebuilding of Somalia including airports, and giving trainings to the armed forces in Somalia
