The Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency (HSJ) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) have officially signed a bilateral cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing immigration services, border security, and document verification systems in Somalia.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Mustafa Sheikh Ali Duhulow, Director General of HSJ, and Mr. Heinrich Krauskopf, representing Switzerland’s migration authority, during a formal ceremony held in Geneva.

Key Highlights of the Agreement:

• Improvement of Immigration Services: The agreement focuses on strengthening the infrastructure and capacity of Somalia’s immigration systems to better serve citizens.
• Staff Training and Capacity Building: Switzerland will provide technical training and professional development programs to enhance the skills of HSJ personnel.
• Detection of Fraudulent Documents: The Swiss government has donated advanced equipment to help Somalia detect forged passports and travel documents.
• Enhancing the Reputation of the Somali Passport: The agreement includes collaboration to improve the quality and international recognition of the Somali passport, a key symbol of national identity.

Additional Meetings:

The Somali delegation, led by DG Duhulow, held key discussions with senior officials from:

• The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• The Ministry of Justice
• Border and migration control authorities
• Technical experts in passport and ID production

The delegation visited land borders and international airports to observe Switzerland’s use of advanced technologies in border management and immigration control.

Statement from the Director General:

Mr. Duhulow expressed sincere gratitude to the Swiss government for its unwavering support, calling the partnership "fruitful and transformative” for Somalia’s immigration sector. He emphasized that the collaboration will significantly improve the credibility and efficiency of travel documentation in Somalia.

Issued by: HSJ Public Relations Office – Geneva
Date: July 23, 2025
Image Caption: Director General Mustafa Duhulow and Heinrich Krauskopf signing the cooperation agreement.

Translate in English By Dahir Alasow