On Tuesday, flights to and from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport were delayed as airlines protested “sabotage” from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The airport serves close to 1 million travelers each year.
It is one of Somalia’s main sources of domestic revenue too.
Early this week, travelers were left stranded at the airport for several hours when airlines protested the decision by NISA to suspend one of them from flying to Dolow in Gedo.
Political crisis has beset Gedo region for several months now. Incessant fighting along the border region has also made it slightly insecure.
However, the fact that NISA never explained its reason for suspending one of the airlines from flying to Gedo did not go down well with the rest.
Consequently, they accused NISA of sabotaging their businesses.
According to the protesting airlines, NISA has become a political tool that is used to frustrate those who demand better management of Somalia’s internal affairs.