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In a recent development, former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble was denied a visa by the South African High Commission in Nairobi, leading to a diplomatic dispute between Somali and South African authorities.
Background of the Incident
Roble, who served as Prime Minister from September 2020 to June 2022, was in Nairobi when he applied for a visa to travel to South Africa. The High Commission denied his application, citing security concerns related to individuals in his delegation. This has sparked a diplomatic row, with both Somali and South African officials providing differing accounts of the events.
Somali Government’s Stance
The Somali government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, denied involvement in the visa denial. Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi stated that the issue originated from the South African side. “We issued the letter that former Prime Minister Roble requested. It is not true that the Somali government refused to provide a recommendation letter for his visa application,” Fiqi said.
Earlier, the Ministry had sent a letter to the High Commission listing six officials in Roble’s delegation. However, South African authorities raised concerns about certain individuals on the list, citing alleged links to terrorist networks and drug smuggling.
South African Authorities’ Concerns
An official from the Somali Ministry, speaking anonymously, indicated that the visa applications were halted because South African authorities flagged some names on the list. “The issue was that some of the names raised red flags, which is why South Africa did not accept the visa applications for the six individuals. Only the former prime minister was approved,” the official said.
The High Commission has not publicly commented, but sources suggest the decision was based on security assessments and intelligence reports. The denial of visas to individuals with alleged links to criminal activities highlights the challenges of balancing diplomatic relations with security concerns.
Reactions and Implications
Roble did not respond to queries regarding the denial of his delegation’s visa application. However, his close aide, Abdullahi Arab, suggested the visa denial was a “targeted action orchestrated by Mogadishu.” Roble resorted to using his Swedish passport to travel.
The incident raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the visa application process and underscores the potential for diplomatic tensions arising from security-related decisions. The Somali government’s denial of involvement and the South African authorities’ silence leave room for speculation.
The visa denial incident involving former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble highlights the intricate dynamics of international diplomacy and security. As both Somali and South African authorities navigate the fallout from this decision, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in international relations.