Puntland cracks down on illegal foreigners amid security concerns
In line with the directive, the police have launched sweeping operations to arrest all undocumented foreigners and enforce a ban on street begging which was also cited by the Ministry as a security concern.
Security forces in Somalia's Puntland began rounding up all illegal foreigners on Monday following the decision by the Ministry of Interior to bar all illegal foreigners residing in Puntland from accessing rental houses or jobs.
The directive, which came into effect through a statement on Saturday, is part of the efforts being employed by the semi-autonomous state to counter the ISIS threat that has been active since October 22, 2015, when former Al-Shabaab militant Abdul Qadir Mumin pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and the Islamic State.
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"The purpose of this directive is to control any foreign threats that may come from ISIS sympathisers. We want to regulate the security of our people and their property to prevent any unnecessary exposure," said Puntland's Minister of Interior, Abdi Farax Said Juxa in the statement.
The statesman further declared that it is now illegal for foreigners to enter Puntland unlawfully, rent housing, or engage in employment without proper documentation.
"All parties that have brought or imported foreigners into the country, such as; business companies, factories, health centres and educational institutions, are instructed to register them within 72 hours, to ensure their security and who will take responsibility for them," he said.
In line with the directive, the police have launched sweeping operations to arrest all undocumented foreigners and enforce a ban on street begging which was also cited by the Ministry as a security concern.
"It is prohibited for all beggars to stand with their number plates in public places such as mosques, streets and commercial areas. Telecommunications companies are ordered to immediately close accounts and numbers that are currently being used for begging," stated Abdi Farax.
The Ministry also declared taking over small unlicensed businesses from the market a misdemeanour.
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