Somalia Shifts Deportation Standoff: Identity Verification First

Somalia's president reframed the dispute with the EU by stating his government will accept deported nationals only after European authorities confirm their identities—reversing the sequence Brussels demanded. The EU imposed visa restrictions June 25 for inadequate deportation cooperation. Under international law, the deporting state must verify nationality before accepting returnees, giving Mogadishu a defensible legal position against Brussels' pressure.