By Younis Ahmed, staff writer
Mogadishu, Somalia – Eleven individuals, including a senior official, from the immigration directorate of Somalia have been detained as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption, human trafficking, and the illegal sale of diplomatic passports to ordinary citizens.
The scandal came to light last week after three men were apprehended at Mogadishu airport by police while attempting to travel abroad using fraudulently obtained diplomatic passports.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the passports had been allegedly purchased from officials within the immigration directorate.
As a result, 11 members of the agency’s staff have been arraigned in court, with 10 of them being released on bail while one remains in custody.
The accusations have raised serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the immigration directorate and its practices in Somalia. The investigation into the scandal is ongoing, and according to the police, further updates are expected in due course.
However, the scandal has raised serious concerns about the integrity of Somalia’s immigration system, with many questioning how many more individuals may have obtained diplomatic passports through similar means.
The immigration directorate has come under fire for its handling of passport applications, with reports of widespread corruption and nepotism
Ordinary citizens have reportedly been denied passports, while those with connections to high ranking officials have been able to obtain them easily.
The Somali government has vowed to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold those responsible for the corruption accountable.
However, many Somalis remain skeptical about the government’s ability to root out corruption, given its history of ineffectiveness and weak governance.
The sale of diplomatic passports is not uncommon in many parts of the world, and it is often seen as a way for individuals to gain access to other countries and avoid scrutiny from immigration officials.
However, experts say the practice can also be used to facilitate human trafficking and other criminal activities, making it a serious concern for governments and international organizations.
Somalia has been struggling with political instability, terrorism, and a humanitarian crisis for decades.
Corruption within its government institutions only exacerbates the country’s problems, and it is crucial that the government takes swift action to address the issue and restore public trust in its institutions.
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