LONDON– The Somali Embassy in United Kingdom ( UK) has dismissed reports that it has initiated a requirement to Somali citizens travelling to their home country.
Responding to claim posted by a Somali National on one of the social media platforms on Sunday, the Somali Embassy based in London said it is not aware of a requirement subjecting Somalis traveling to Somalia.
In a statement carried on its Twitter handle, The Embassy clarified that it contacted the authorities in London and Somalia to find out the requirements but was informed that there are no requirements for travel to Somalia.
The Somali embassy in London did NOT initiate or required anyone traveling to Somalia to have a letter. In mid April the airlines have asked people traveling to Somalia to show a visas. Many families were inconvenienced and they have contacted the embassy for a solution.1/2
— Somali Embassy – UK?? (@SomaliainUK) June 11, 2023
The Embassy further added that they wrote a letter requesting families to be facilitated to travel and receive their visa upon arrival.
This is after a Somali citizen complained on Twitter saying he was asked to have a letter from the Embassy by Qatar Airways.
Somalia officially reopened its embassy in London on Thursday February 9 this year after a 32-year hiatus.
The embassy, located at Winchester House on Old Marylebone Road in central London, provides consular services to the nearly 500,000 Somali citizens living UK legally.
It officially shut down it doors in 1991 following the collapse of the central government and the outbreak of the civil war.
Likewise Britain opened its Embassy in Mogadishu in 2013 after a 22-year absence.