Ethiopian Consulate in Hargeisa suspends visa issuance to Somaliland travel documents

HARGEISA—- Ethiopian consulate office in Hargeisa has halted visa issuance when it comes to people holding Somaliland travel documents for the past two months.

It is not yet known the reasons that forced the Ethiopian consulate office in Somaliland to stop the issuance of entry visas regarding citizens who hold Somaliland electronic passport.

Hundreds of Somaliland citizens could be seen gathering outside the main gate of the consulate comppound which lies between the presidential residence and the ministry of finance.

The citizens hope that the consulate will lift the stoppage and could see the consulate commencing once again the visa issuance to Somaliland passports.

Somaliland authority who have been informed of the matter have not provided full information on the halting of Ethiopian visa issuance to Somaliland citizens.

Somaliland immigration police, officials of ministry of foreign affairs and interior met and discussed with issue and has not so far issued a statement concerning the the visa stoppage.

Somaliland and Ethiopia have signed security pact in Diri Dawa and this may have an impact on the visa of issuance.

Both countries have agreed to cooperate on the combat of illegal migrants which are rampant among Somaliland youth due to high unemployment.

It is not known when the consulate will restart the visa issuance to Somaliland passports.

S.Informer