Somalia: Ethiopian consulate in Puntland ceases Visas issuance

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GAROWE, Somalia, April 21, 2015 (Garowe Online)- Ethiopian consulate in Puntland has ceased issuance of visas in the wake of rare terror that that left four UNICEF staff and two body guards dead in the state capital of Garowe according to consular officials, Garowe Online reports.

Over a dozen ordinary people were told that Ethiopian government halted issuing visas for Somalis travelling to the neighboring country amid high terror alerts.

It is yet unclear whether the suspension of visas services is temporary until specified date.

Addis Ababa previously suspended its consular operations in breakaway Somaliland which shares cross-tight border with Ethiopia.

Ethiopian-AMISOM forces are battling Al Shabaab militants in central and southern Somalia.

Al Shabaab suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying UN workers in front of UN compound in Garowe, killing six including two Somali security escorts.

UN envoy to Somalia Ambassador Nicholas Kay arrived in Garowe on surprise visit On Monday to discuss tight security for UN facilities with Puntland government officials.

GAROWE ONLINE

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