South Africa's Concerns Over Drug Smuggling and Terror Networks Affect Former Somali PM's Visa Application

by: David Joseph | 23 February 2025 00:14

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South Africa's Concerns Over Drug Smuggling and Terror Networks Affect Former Somali PM's Visa Application

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - On Thursday, Somali social media users reported that the South African High Commission in Nairobi blocked the visa application of former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who was attempting to travel to Sou

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Among those denied visas were: Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adaala, Deputy Minister of Information; Abdullahi Abukar Haji; Abdullahi Mohamed Nor; Hirey Ahmed Roble and Abdirisaq Habib Abshir.

NAIROBI, Kenya (HORN OBSERVER) - On Thursday, Somali social media users reported that the South African High Commission in Nairobi blocked the visa application of former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble, who was attempting to travel to South Africa for unspecified reasons.

Initial reports alleged that the Somali government had suspended Roble’s diplomatic passport and that a request he made to the Somali Embassy in Nairobi had been rejected.

However, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, clarified that the issue originated on the South African side, not from Mogadishu.

"We issued the letter that former Prime Minister Roble requested. It is not true that the Somali government refused to provide a recommendation letter for his visa application,” Fiqi told VOA Somali.

PHOTO: Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, clarified that the issue originated on the South African side, not from Mogadishu.

A letter dated February 1, 2025, from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the South African High Commission in Nairobi listed six officials reported to be part of Roble’s delegation to South Africa.

However, the South African authorities raised concerns over some individuals on the list, citing alleged links to terror networks and drug smuggling in Somalia.

"The issue was that some of the names contained red flags, which is why South Africa did not accept the visa applications for the six individuals. Only the former prime minister was approved,” said a Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs official involved in the matter, who requested anonymity.

PHOTO: A letter dated February 1, 2025, from Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the South African High Commission in Nairobi listed six officials reported to be part of Roble’s delegation to South Africa.

Among those denied visas were: Abdirahman Yusuf Al-Adaala, Deputy Minister of Information; Abdullahi Abukar Haji; Abdullahi Mohamed Nor; Hirey Ahmed Roble and Abdirisaq Habib Abshir.

Roble did not respond to inquiries regarding the situation.

However, his close ally and former minister, Abdullahi Arab, suggested that the visa denial for Roble’s delegation was "targeted action orchestrated by Mogadishu."

"Roble later used his Swedish passport,” claimed Arab, who once served as Minister of Education under Roble’s administration from 2020 - 2022.

Arab himself was implicated in 2011 for allegedly supplying food aid and foreign fighters to the Al-Shabaab militant group.

Although he was detained, he was later released under a presidential pardon.

Allegations Against Roble and Drug Trafficking in Somalia

In December 2021, just months before the elections, Roble was at the center of a major scandal that led to his suspension by then-President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo.

BBC reported that he was accused of involvement in the "theft of public land".

More recently, Roble has been linked to the khat trade, a business that has raised further concerns. While khat is a mild stimulant widely consumed in Somalia, its trade has often overlapped with illicit activities, including smuggling.

PHOTO: In December 2021, just months before the elections, Roble was at the center of a major corruption scandal thatled to his suspension.

Somali sources allege that heroin and hashish are being exported from Somalia to foreign markets, with some networks linked to political figures.

On February 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia executed Somali national Mohamed Nur Hussein in Najran for allegedly smuggling hashish into the kingdom.

Hussein was reportedly part of a network operating between Mogadishu and the Gulf countries, responsible for exporting large quantities of hashish.

Reports indicate that over 50 Somali citizens are currently on death row in the Saudi Arabia, primarily for drug smuggling charges.

The UN has reported that Somalia’s prolonged instability has facilitated illicit activities, including the trafficking of drugs such as heroin and hashish.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has documented an increase in heroin trafficking to East Africa, including Somalia, from countries such as Pakistan, Thailand, and India.

Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu has been identified as a key transit point for drug trafficking and other illicit activities.

In early February 2025, Somali police carried out a major operation at Mogadishu’s port and airport, seizing a significant quantity of illegal drugs.

Police reported that the operation underscored the challenges authorities face in curbing drug smuggling through critical entry points.

Corruption within airport management has further exacerbated the problem. In January 2023, court documents revealed that officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank were engaged in fraudulent activities at Aden Adde International Airport.

These officials allegedly used fake stamps and falsified documents to embezzle millions of dollars, undermining security measures aimed at combating illicit trade.

Additionally, in October 2024, two senior officials responsible for the Mogadishu Aden Adde Airport security and immigration were dismissed due to allegations of involvement in human trafficking and links to terrorist groups.

These officials were accused of facilitating the movement of individuals using forged documents, further compromising airport security.