Exclusive: The Advocate Post – Hargeisa/Berlin
In a move widely seen as a quiet yet meaningful diplomatic signal, the Federal Foreign Office of Germany has formally acknowledged the Republic of Somaliland’s Visa-on-Arrival policy for international travelers, marking a rare instance of practical engagement by a European power with Somaliland’s autonomous governance framework.
The recognition, recently updated on Germany’s official travel advisory website, affirms Somaliland’s sovereign capacity to manage its borders, regulate entry, and extend visas directly to foreign nationals upon arrival—a policy operational at all major ports of entry nationwide, including Egal International Airport in Hargeisa and Berbera International Airport.
A Win for Mobility, Sovereignty, and Diaspora Engagement
The update was welcomed by Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which described it as a
“notable affirmation of Somaliland’s sovereign immigration authority and peaceful national stability.”
A senior official told The Advocate Post
“This acknowledgment not only facilitates dignified and secure travel but also strengthens the bridge between Somaliland and our diaspora, especially those residing in Europe,”
The Visa-on-Arrival policy, rolled out earlier this year by Somaliland’s Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, aims to stimulate economic growth through business, tourism, and humanitarian engagement, while also modernizing the nation’s immigration framework in line with international standards.
The policy allows foreign nationals and dual passport holders to obtain visas directly at airports and border checkpoints, provided they meet basic entry requirements, including valid passports, return tickets, proof of sufficient funds, and sponsor information if applicable.
Context: Growing Divergence from Mogadishu
The development comes amid escalating legal and political divergence between Somaliland and Somalia over airspace, immigration control, and international recognition. While Somalia’s federal government continues to assert jurisdiction over the entire Somali territory, Somaliland—a de facto independent republic since 1991—has steadily built functional institutions, peaceful governance, and a rules-based foreign policy framework.
Just weeks ago, tensions flared when Somali authorities launched a digital immigration platform claiming coverage over Somaliland—a move rejected outright by Hargeisa. In contrast, Germany’s recognition of Somaliland’s visa policy sidesteps this dispute by engaging directly with Somaliland’s on-the-ground legal realities.
Germany’s recent acknowledgment of Somaliland’s Visa-on-Arrival policy, as published on its official travel advisory, has sparked diplomatic ripple effects across the Horn of Africa, drawing praise in Hargeisa and scrutiny in Mogadishu. While Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the update as a validation of its sovereign immigration system and peaceful governance, officials in Mogadishu have yet to issue an official response. However, social media reactions in Somalia have been mixed, with some viewing the move as a quiet diplomatic recognition of Somaliland’s de facto independence, while others criticized Berlin for undermining Somalia’s territorial claims. In Somaliland, the announcement was met with widespread approval from the public and diaspora, many of whom see the development as a step forward in their long-standing quest for international legitimacy.
A Precedent for Other Countries?
The German update could serve as a blueprint and precedent for other EU member states and international institutions navigating how to interact with Somaliland without breaching diplomatic sensitivities around Somalia’s territorial claims.
Several analysts told The Advocate Post that practical recognitions such as these may pave the way for deeper, sector-specific cooperation in areas like migration, education, and health, particularly given Somaliland’s sustained record of peace, democracy, and border control capacity.
Moving Forward
Somaliland officials have expressed hopes that this diplomatic signal will strengthen international confidence in the country’s governance systems, especially as it prepares for upcoming elections and seeks to attract more investment from the diaspora and international partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that all travelers, including returning Somalilanders holding foreign passports, will continue to be welcomed under the new policy with clarity, dignity, and procedural transparency.
As geopolitical alignments shift in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland’s sovereign visa regime is not just a technical policy—it is a quiet assertion of statehood.
Editor’s Note
This report is part of The Advocate Post’s continuing coverage of emerging diplomacy, international legal frameworks, and recognition movements across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more, visit www.theadvocatepost.org.
