**EU Imposes Visa Restrictions on Somali Citizens Amid Dispute Over Deportations**
*Mogadishu, Somalia – June 26, 2026* – The European Union (EU) has enacted new visa restrictions on Somali citizens, intensifying an ongoing dispute with the Somali government regarding the return of individuals who are in Europe illegally. The measures were approved by EU member states on Thursday, following a report indicating that Somalia has not adequately facilitated the repatriation of its nationals who have been denied residency in Europe.
In response to the EU's actions, Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed strong opposition, asserting that while the government is willing to accept its citizens, there are significant concerns regarding the verification of individuals being returned. "We haven’t rejected our people; they own this country. And we cannot reject them," President Mohamud stated during an Independence Day event. He emphasized the need for clarity on the identity of returnees, highlighting that many individuals claiming to be Somali may not actually be from Somalia, as physical similarities exist among populations in the Horn of Africa.
President Mohamud raised concerns about previous instances where individuals returned to Somalia under the guise of being Somali turned out to be from other countries, noting that some did not even speak the Somali language. "If they are Somali, then we’ll take them. If they aren’t, we’ll help you find out where they are from, and you can send them there," he added.
The backdrop to this dispute is the ongoing challenges Somalia faces, stemming from decades of instability following the collapse of its central government in 1991 and the subsequent civil war. The country continues to grapple with the violent insurgency of al-Shabab, a group affiliated with al-Qaeda, which has been responsible for numerous attacks since 2006. These dire conditions have driven many young Somalis to undertake perilous journeys to Europe, often through Libya, where they face severe risks including detention and violence.
The EU's new visa measures include the suspension of multiple-entry visas for Somali citizens and the removal of fee waivers for holders of diplomatic passports. Additionally, the processing time for visa applications has been extended from 15 to 45 days. This suspension does not have a specified end date and is intended to serve as leverage to encourage Somalia to enhance its cooperation regarding the repatriation of its nationals.
Magnus Brunner, the EU's migration commissioner, underscored the necessity for countries of origin to fulfill their obligations regarding the return of their citizens. An assessment by the European Commission concluded that Somalia's cooperation on readmission has been insufficient, prompting the EU's decision to impose these restrictions.
Somalia now joins a small group of countries facing similar visa curbs, following previous measures imposed on The Gambia in 2021 and Ethiopia in 2024. The restrictions on Ethiopia were lifted in May 2026 after the EU determined that cooperation had improved.
The visa restrictions come at a time when Somali travelers are already facing significant challenges. In 2025, the United States implemented a travel ban affecting citizens from a dozen countries, including Somalia, following the return of former President Donald Trump to office. This policy gained attention recently when Omar Abdulkadir Artan, recognized as Africa’s referee of the year in 2025, was denied entry to the US despite holding a valid visa, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup.
The current standoff between the EU and Somalia reflects a broader trend in European migration policy, which is increasingly focused on establishing return centers beyond its borders and expediting deportations for individuals who do not have the right to remain in EU member states. As the EU tightens its approach to migration, the implications for Somali citizens seeking to travel or return home remain uncertain.