Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has formally requested an explanation from the Somali government regarding the whereabouts and safety of nine members of an official Somali delegation who disappeared in Pristina. The delegation, led by Said Mohamed Mohamud and Fartuun Abdikadir Farah, arrived in Kosovo on October 25, 2026. In a diplomatic letter dated October 30, 2026, Kosovo expressed serious concern over the circumstances surrounding the nine individuals.
The nine members, who were accompanying the delegation, checked out of their accommodation at Dua Village on October 27 at approximately 7:10 p.m. without notifying the authorities responsible for accompanying them. Preliminary information suggested that they may have travelled to another location outside the country, but Kosovo stressed that this did not constitute confirmation of their whereabouts. The ministry had attempted to obtain clarification through representatives of the delegation but received no concrete information.
State Minister Said Mohamed Mohamud and Deputy Minister Fartuun Abdikadir Farah departed Kosovo on October 28, 2026, but the nine accompanying members did not report to the VIP Terminal at Pristina International Airport as expected. Kosovo said it had no confirmation regarding their whereabouts, residence status, or possible departure from its territory. The ministry formally requested that the Somali government clarify the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and provide information about their current location and safety.
The incident has reportedly triggered political repercussions in Somalia, with two federal ministers said to have been removed from office over allegations that they facilitated the travel arrangements for the nine individuals in exchange for money. The allegations suggest that the young people were presented as government employees and included in the official delegation to obtain travel visas.
Sources familiar with the case have claimed that the nine individuals subsequently travelled to other countries and sought asylum. However, the diplomatic letter does not mention payments, visa sales, or the alleged involvement of Somali ministers. The Kosovo communication documents the failure to establish their whereabouts after they left their accommodation in Pristina.
The case has raised questions about the management of official foreign delegations, the selection of accompanying personnel, and possible irregularities in government-sponsored international travel. The letter establishes the nine members' departure from Dua Village at approximately 7:10 p.m. on October 27, the failure to appear at the airport on October 28, and Kosovo's lack of confirmation about their whereabouts.
The Somali government has not publicly commented on the incident, but it is expected to respond to Kosovo's formal request for clarification. The incident may strain diplomatic relations between the two countries, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the nine delegation members is likely to be conducted.
Key points
- Kosovo demands explanation from Somalia over nine missing delegation members
- The incident triggered political repercussions in Somalia, with two federal ministers removed from office
- The case raises questions about the management of official foreign delegations and possible irregularities in government-sponsored international travel
