The Federal Government of Somalia has announced the temporary suspension of the “OK-to-Board” travel authorization service for its citizens traveling to Egypt. The government was compelled to make this decision following rising concerns over the treatment and harassment encountered by Somali citizens upon arriving at Cairo International Airport.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia stated that the restriction was implemented based on severe difficulties and complaints faced by several individuals of Somali origin after landing in Egypt, as authorities required time to thoroughly assess the situation.
According to the agency, although numerous passengers traveled with valid and complete travel clearances, they complained of being barred from leaving the airport premises upon arrival in Cairo. The statement highlighted that the Somali government is “closely monitoring” this issue with special attention.
The “OK-to-Board” system is a procedure typically implemented between airlines and immigration authorities. It serves as a digital or written verification to ensure a passenger meets all entry requirements of the destination country before departing from their country of origin. The mistreatment of citizens despite the existence of this system has deeply concerned Somali officials.
While immigration agency officials did not explicitly state how long this temporary suspension would last, they emphasized that the measure was a necessary step taken to protect the rights and safety of Somali citizens until lasting solutions are reached through discussions with relevant Egyptian diplomatic and security bodies. Based on current information, the Somali government has not yet provided detailed data on exactly how many passengers faced harassment at Egyptian airports or the precise root cause of the issue. There has also been no immediate response from Egyptian authorities regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, other major events are unfolding in the region. Saudi Arabia, along with several Arab and Islamic nations, has strongly condemned the Somaliland administration’s move to open an ’embassy’ in Jerusalem. It is feared that this step could further exacerbate diplomatic tensions in the region.
In domestic security news, the Somali National Army reportedly conducted a careful and successful air and ground strike on a position of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in the Lower Shabelle region. At the same time, heavy clashes broke out near Baidoa, the capital of the South West State, between forces loyal to the federal government and regional pro-government militias, signaling ongoing instability surrounding the country’s political transition and federal governance.
