The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has threatened to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Somalia due to ongoing sovereignty disputes related to the self-declared independent region of Somaliland.
In January, Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland to secure access to the sea, including a 20-kilometer coastal lease for 50 years.
In exchange, Somaliland claims that Ethiopia would recognize it as an independent state, although Ethiopia has not confirmed this.
Ethiopian Airlines operates flights to Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, and several major Somali cities, including Mogadishu.
The Somali aviation authority expressed concerns about Ethiopian Airlines' failure to address previous complaints about these "sovereignty issues," including inaccuracies in listing Somali destinations on the airline’s platforms.
The authority warned that if these issues are not resolved by August 23, all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Somalia will be suspended.
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority also issued a similar warning to Flydubai, demanding the airline correctly identify Somali destinations on its booking and ticketing services.
Failure to comply by August 24 could result in the cancellation of Flydubai’s operating license in Somalia.
These developments follow indirect talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, mediated by Turkey, which reported significant progress earlier this month.
Despite being relatively stable compared to the rest of the Horn of Africa, Somaliland remains unrecognized internationally, limiting its economic and diplomatic opportunities despite its strategic location near the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
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