Bosaso (Sahan Post): — Irregular migration from Somalia has seen a sharp rise in recent months, with thousands of young people losing their lives while attempting to cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands more languish in prisons across various countries after failed attempts to reach their destinations.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Puntland administration has imposed stringent new restrictions on the travel of citizens under the age of 40. Authorities say the move follows the discovery that many clandestine journeys and human-smuggling operations were originating from Puntland, facilitated by traffickers and organized criminal networks.
Speaking at an event in Bosaso, Puntland Vice President Ilyaas Osman Lugatoor announced that no individual under 40 will be allowed to leave the country without a parent or legal guardian acting as a guarantor. He further stated that Somalis under 40 will also be barred from obtaining a Somali passport unless a parent serves as a guarantor, an order that has been forwarded to all relevant immigration and security agencies.
Similar restrictions were previously introduced in Mogadishu and Las Anod. However, analysts and community members continue to question whether such measures can genuinely curb the dangerous migration routes pursued by Somali youth. Many argue that regional authorities must instead focus on creating economic opportunities and a stable environment that encourages young people to build their future at home.
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