Travelers Warned: Puntland Flags Major Security Flaws in Somalia’s E-VISA System

GAROWE, Puntland — The Puntland state of Somalia has warned travelers using foreign passports not to use the country’s federal government E-VISA system, citing significant digital security weaknesses that could compromise personal data.

Puntland’s Minister of Information, Mahmoud Caydiid Dirir, said the system contains security flaws that could allow sensitive traveler information to fall into unreliable hands.

He criticized the federal government for prioritizing revenue collection over safeguarding personal data, highlighting a recent cyberattack on the E-VISA platform as evidence of its vulnerabilities.

Dirir also questioned the management of E-VISA revenues, noting that there is no legal framework specifying how the funds should be shared, raising concerns about accountability.

“This is a money-making project without proper security measures for protecting personal data, and there are no backups. The leaked information shows that data belonging to users has been hacked and made public online,” Dirir said.

The Puntland warning comes as Somalia’s federal authorities denied claims of security risks in the E-VISA system, calling them propaganda spread by groups opposed to national development and unity.

GAROWE ONLINE