The Italian Embassy in Nairobi has announced an immediate suspension of Schengen visa processing for applications made through its embassy in Mogadishu. This decision was prompted by allegations of fraudulent activities, including reports of human smuggling linked to the misuse of Somali civil servants’ and diplomatic passports. The Italian government took this step to address what it calls a systematic abuse of the visa application process.

Posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, suggest that Somali officials may have been involved in the misuse of government-issued passports for illegal activities. As a result, the Italian Embassy felt it was necessary to act to maintain the integrity of the visa process. However, they have not specified how long the suspension will last or what actions will be needed before visa services can resume in Mogadishu.

The embassy has advised anyone affected by this change to contact their office in Nairobi for more information or guidance on alternative ways to apply for a visa. This decision reflects broader concerns over migration and security, as countries around the world increase their scrutiny of visa applications.

Many people have expressed their frustration on social media, arguing that the suspension unfairly impacts honest Somali travelers. They are calling for a thorough investigation to ensure that only those responsible for fraud are held accountable, instead of applying a blanket ban on all applicants from Mogadishu.