In a letter to the newly appointed Ambassador Mr. Richard H. Riley, US Ambassador to Somalia, MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, seeks “clarification regarding the recent denial of US visas for several Members of Parliament from the Federal Republic of Somalia. These members have diligently followed the necessary procedures for visa applications but have encountered significant obstacles in their attempts to visit US-Somali communities in the United States. This situation has raised serious concerns among us.”
MP Abib also asks Ambassador Riley if there are selective policies at work at the US Embassy, one for Villa Somalia and another for members of parliament with different political views or affiliations than Villa Somalia. MP Abib continues, “I have been informed that another Member of Parliament, who has political affiliations with Villa Somalia, recently received a US visa without any issues. This raises concerns, as it appears there may be a discrepancy in the treatment of visa applications between members with differing political affiliations. Specifically, the opposition members who had their visas denied are questioning whether this selective issuance of visas might be influenced by political considerations.”
On the issue of the prevalence of corruption and civil servant passports for sale at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MP Abib inquiries about passports “reportedly issued for the sole purpose of obtaining visas from the US, Canada, EU, and UK for individuals who are not employees of the Federal or State Government of Somalia. These individuals appear to be seeking immigration opportunities to these countries, with visa procurement bribes ranging from $20,000 to $25,000.”
Asking an explanation for the visa denials experienced by some Members of Somalia Parliament, MP Abib adds that he wants to know “the reasons behind the refusals and the steps that can be taken to rectify this situation so that they may continue to engage with and build strong relationships between our countries.”
Click here for the full letter to Ambassador Riley.
Contributed to by Daljir staff in Nairobi.
COMMENTS