Federal Government Reasserts Full Control of Somali Airspace, Rejects Somaliland Directive

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s aviation regulator has reaffirmed its control over the country’s airspace and immigration procedures, after Somaliland issued a unilateral directive demanding foreign aircraft seek flight clearance directly from Hargeisa, a move federal officials say violates international aviation law and Somalia’s sovereignty.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) issued a formal warning to Flydubai, accusing the airline of allowing passengers to travel to Hargeisa without the mandatory Somali e-Visa, introduced nationwide in August 2025. The SCAA said the oversight breached Somalia’s immigration and border control procedures and could endanger national security.

In a letter sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SCAA ordered the airline to immediately enforce visa verification for all passengers traveling to any destination within Somalia’s borders, including Hargeisa, and reminded carriers that only the Federal Government has the legal mandate to manage entry and exit across Somali territory.

“Compliance with Somali immigration regulations is not only a legal obligation but also a reflection of respect for our national sovereignty and international aviation norms,” said Ahmed Moallin Hassan, Director General of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority.

The regulator warned that continued violations could trigger financial penalties, suspension of flights to Hargeisa, or even a review of operating authorizations within Somali airspace.

The warning followed reports that Somaliland’s Civil Aviation Ministry had issued its own over-flight permit directive, demanding all civil aircraft obtain authorization from Hargeisa before entering or transiting what it called “Somaliland’s airspace.”

The directive, due to take effect on November 10, was condemned by Mogadishu as an unauthorized and illegal move, given that Somalia’s airspace remains under the management and recognition of the Federal Government through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Somalia maintains that airspace, territorial waters, and immigration policy fall exclusively under the federal government’s jurisdiction. Officials in Mogadishu said any parallel regulations issued by Somaliland have no legal standing and risk creating confusion among international airlines.

The SCAA said it remains committed to working closely with all international airlines, including Flydubai, to ensure safe, lawful, and coordinated air operations. The authority expressed confidence that compliant carriers would respect the federal government’s regulatory framework and avoid actions that might undermine Somalia’s national unity or international commitments.

The dispute highlights the growing tension between Somalia’s central authority and Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized by any nation or international body.

Despite unilateral moves from Hargeisa, Somalia continues to consolidate its position as the sole legitimate manager of its airspace, a responsibility officially restored from ICAO in 2023.