{UAH} NEW E-PASSPORT WILL HELP SECURE BORDERS, SAYS PRESIDENT

Mogadishu, 22 December 2013

His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today launched
Somalia's new e-passport, hailing it as an important step for national
and international security.

The President said: "Now that we are well on the road to recovery
after two decades of war, it is right that Somalia should take
advantage of the latest technological advances available to protect
our borders. This new e-passport will provide a significant boost to
the security of Somalia, as well as that of the international
community."

"While we know that earlier passports were forged and in some cases
wrongly issued when there were inadequate systems in place, the new
passports are much more secure and will provide an additional defence
against terrorists and other criminals. It is essential we know at all
times exactly who is coming into Somalia and who is exiting. Terrorism
and many other illegal activities are transnational nowadays and we
must ensure the integrity of our border for our security and that of
our international partners."

The new e-passport will be issued by the Department of Immigration in
the Ministry of Interior. It will be made available to Somalis on
production of birth certificates and national identity documents,
which will be issued by local authorities.

Robert Atuhairwe