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Somali Presidential Palace

A significant information leak in the Federal Republic of Somalia's digital visa application system potentially disclosed private data associated with many thousands of travelers, comprising American nationals, the US embassy in the Somali nation has warned.

The embassy reported obtained credible reports that "unidentified hackers" compromised the Somali government's e-visa platform, possibly exposing data from approximately 35,000 applicants.

The compromised files circulating online include names, photographs, dates of birth, relationship status, place of residence and email contacts, per a US embassy statement released on Thursday.

"This security incident is ongoing and potentially disclose any sensitive details you enter into the system," the UK has additionally cautioned travellers.

"Evaluate the dangers prior to requesting an e-visa mandatory for entry into Somalia."

Government Response

Government officials have remained silent on the breach. But the government has moved visa application system from the initial application portal to the new system etas.gov.so, without issuing a public clarification.

"Although the US Embassy in Mogadishu lacks the capacity to validate whether applicant details belongs to the security incident, individuals who have applied through the electronic visa system may be affected," the US' statement said.

Geopolitical Impact

Somalia's new system requires all travellers, incorporating applicants from the independently governed area of Somaliland and the partially independent area of the northeastern region, to seek entry visas through digital means.

Critics say visitors have encountered extra fees in certain regions, totaling repeated fees.

Regional Dynamics

The self-declared republic, that proclaimed statehood in three decades ago, governs itself via separate governmental bodies although it lacks worldwide acceptance. The Federal Government asserts that the region still constitutes its jurisdictional area.

The reported compromise exacerbates ongoing disputes concerning Mogadishu and Hargeisa over control of national air territory. While Somalia regained total jurisdiction of national aviation space in the past decade, Somaliland continues to contest the arrangement.

Ongoing Conflict

The conflict worsened recently when the northern region's leader Abdirahman Irro said Somaliland would not accept Somalia's e-visa and directed that carriers are required to secure authorization from Somaliland officials prior to accessing their territorial skies.

However leading carriers have refused to process individuals without federal visa authorization.

On Saturday, Somaliland's Foreign Minister the diplomatic representative reaffirmed that "all visitors to the breakaway region should receive travel authorization on arrival", stating the federal electronic visa platform lacked security and warning that "people's data can fall into the hands of extremist groups" because of utilizing the system.

Aviation Challenges

The impasse has caused numerous passengers destined for Somaliland stuck in transit hubs after being denied boarding due to absence of Mogadishu's digital permit.

Hargeisa's air transport representative, the transport official, has told journalistic entities that the directives - initially declared previously - became operational on the tenth of November.

Officials declared companies that ignore would be instructed to change course, and asserted multiple planes had been forced to change paths.

Jurisdictional Battle

Footage distributed by Somaliland's aviation ministry reportedly displays local air-traffic controllers giving directions to foreign aircraft commanders - an action hailed internally as a demonstration of northern self-governance.

But the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority maintains it maintains sole administrative and legal control concerning the Mogadishu Flight Information Region (aviation control zone), that includes all territorial skies. Authorities have instructed each flight to disregard all directives provided by authorities other than federal authorities.

Authorities alerted that not adhering to Somali and international aviation rules could generate safety risks and lead to "major judicial outcomes".