MOGADISHU — Scheduled talks between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition leaders have been indefinitely delayed after federal authorities prevented flights carrying heavily armed regional security forces from entering the capital.
The government halted the arrival of aircraft accompanying Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni and Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe), citing strict security protocols that prohibit the unauthorized deployment of large military units in Mogadishu.
Defense Minister Issues Sharp Rebuke
Following the incident, Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, issued a strong statement clarifying the government’s position. He questioned the intent behind the regional leaders’ decision to travel with such significant firepower, contrasting it with their conduct during international diplomatic trips.
“When they travel to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Dubai, they travel stealthily carrying [only] bags and stand in immigration lines,” Minister Fiqi stated. “But when they travel to their own capital, they arm themselves like men heading to a final war.”
Fiqi further asked, “Are they coming for dialogue, or war, or a military show of force to send a message to others?”
Security Concerns at Aden Adde
The Federal Government emphasized that the influx of unidentified, heavily armed troops poses a significant risk to the Aden Adde International Airport complex, a sensitive security zone that houses major foreign embassies and critical international facilities.
Minister Fiqi asserted that while regional leaders are entitled to special privileges, the national forces are fully capable of ensuring their safety, noting that the government successfully secures visits for world leaders.
“The unsightly armed appearance and the bringing of unidentified troops to hotels at the Mogadishu International Airport… is not a right that Deni and Madobe possess,” Fiqi added.
Call to Prioritize Counter-Terrorism
The Minister also suggested that the military resources being mobilized for political travel would be better utilized in the ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab.
“The troops being dragged into this are more worthy of being used to liberate the Calmiskaad Mountains and the areas surrounding Kismayo than being brought here for a movie scene,” the statement concluded.
As of the time of reporting, the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland have not released official counter-statements regarding the cancellation of their flights.
