Mogadishu, Somalia – A looming aviation dispute threatens to disrupt flights across Somalia’s skies this week, as airlines operating in and out of the country face conflicting airspace directives from Mogadishu and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
The standoff follows Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro’s announcement that his administration would resume full control over its own airspace — a move seen as a direct challenge to the authority of Somalia’s federal aviation regulators. The declaration comes just days after the Somali government in Mogadishu issued a nationwide directive requiring all passengers traveling to any Somali territory to hold valid electronic travel authorizations or other recognized travel documents before boarding.
The overlapping mandates have placed airlines in a precarious position, with carriers uncertain about which set of regulations to follow. Aviation operators flying through Somali-controlled airspace could now find themselves navigating not only complex logistics but also a deepening political divide.
For years, control over Somalia’s airspace has symbolized more than just sovereignty — it has represented national unity, or the lack thereof. The federal government reclaimed full management of the country’s airspace from international oversight in 2018, a milestone hailed as a step toward rebuilding state authority after decades of conflict. Somaliland, however, which has operated as a de facto independent state since 1991, has long sought to regain jurisdiction over its skies.
The renewed friction underscores broader tensions between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, particularly at a time when the region faces mounting political and security challenges. Airlines fear that without coordination, passengers and operators alike could face confusion, delays, or even safety risks if the two authorities issue contradictory flight clearance procedures.
Regional aviation experts warn that the dispute could escalate unless urgent diplomatic engagement restores clarity. For passengers, the timing could not be worse — the end of the year is typically one of the busiest travel periods, as Somalis from the diaspora return home to visit family.
As both administrations hold firm to their positions, the skies above Somalia risk becoming the latest front in a longstanding political struggle — one where the consequences could reach far beyond the clouds.
