For the first time, Somalia’s Immigration and Naturalization Directorate (IND) had the opportunity to build and formalize a relationship with its regional counterpart, the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) in Rwanda.
IOM facilitated a four-day study visit to Kigali from 20-23 March, which was supported by the United Kingdom. It was attended by the Director General of Immigration and Naturalization and regional representatives from Jubaland, Galmadug, Hirshabelle, Koonfur Galbeed and Puntland.
The visit gave Somali officials from throughout the country a glimpse of the modern and structured immigration institution in a neighbouring country which has managed to effectively rebuild itself following a period of conflict. The Director General of Immigration and Naturalization said, “We are here to learn how you came through tough times and rebuilt – and our expectations for this visit were met as soon as we stepped into Kigali’s airport.”
Rwanda’s DGIE operates an efficient border management information system, one-stop border posts (OSBP), and it issues e-cards for its border communities – all of which is of great interest to Somalia’s future border management priorities.
The study visit included a stop at Kigali’s International Airport to observe procedures in entry/exit, document verification, interview procedures and security protocol. There was also a trip to the Poids Lourds Border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where officials were able to observe the practical implementation of an agreement between the two countries on cross-border movements for individuals living in the border communities of Gisenyi and Goma, respectively.
Along Somalia’s vast land borders, including those with Ethiopia and Kenya, the mechanisms for ease of movement, such as the OSBP and e-cards are relevant to its own border communities and similar alternatives for travel identification could be viable options for these communities.
