HARGEISA (KAAB TV) – Authorities in Somaliland have announced their decision to reclaim control over their airspace, pointing fingers at Somalia for any ensuing disruptions.
The Somaliland Civil Aviation Authority revealed this move on Tuesday, indicating a shift away from the shared airspace management arrangement between the two territories.
Tensions between Somalia and Somaliland have escalated following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia on January 1, 2024.
Last week, Somaliland officials accused Somalia of obstructing an air ambulance flight bound for Hargeisa, intended to evacuate a sick individual.
Somalia refuted these allegations.
In a separate development, reports have surfaced indicating that the Mogadishu air traffic control had denied multiple requests from Ethiopian Airline flights destined for Somaliland.
Somalia justified these actions as a measure to prevent unauthorized flights potentially carrying Ethiopian officials to Somaliland.
The MOU signed between Somaliland and Ethiopia aimed to grant Ethiopia access to the Red Sea, a move denounced by the Mogadishu government as “illegal”.
This disagreement further fueled the rift between Somalia and Somaliland.
As Somaliland asserts its authority over its airspace, tensions between the two entities continue to simmer, with potential implications for the air travel and security of the wider region.