MOGADISHU – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that every Somali citizen, including members of the Al-Shabaab group, is entitled to obtain the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) ID card, describing it as a fundamental requirement of modern citizenship.

The President stressed that the national ID is compulsory for all citizens, saying the document is essential for establishing legal identity in today’s governance and service systems. He underlined that “any Somali, even if they are on the wrong path,” remains a citizen whom the state is obliged to register.

President Hassan Sheikh warned that, in the near future, individuals without the national ID will face serious obstacles in their daily lives. He noted that those lacking the NIRA card will be unable to open bank accounts, travel, or access basic public services.

He further clarified that speaking the Somali language or having Somali features alone does not make someone a fully recognised citizen in the eyes of the state. Full citizenship, he said, is tied to possession of the official national ID issued by the government.

The Somali government is currently accelerating the NIRA registration process, with the President urging all segments of society to obtain their ID cards. Officials say the initiative is part of broader efforts to curb crime and improve the planning and delivery of public services across the country.