Following the recently much-politicized announcement of the Federal Government of Somalia that Mogadishu Airspace is closed, the government of neighboring Somaliland Republic, on Saturday, proclaimed that Hargeisa airport is open to all international flights except for those temporarily banned in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19.
Somaliland has, in 1991, declared its unilateral independence from the now-defunct Somali Republic.
Somaliland Director General of Aviation and Ex-pilot Captain Abdi Mohamed Rodol, speaking to the reporters in Hargeisa, stated that Somalia had no authority to claim jurisdiction over the affairs of Somaliland airspace.
“Somalia has neither the power nor the jurisdiction over Somaliland airspace. It has no call to claim otherwise,” he said.
Mr Rodol added that the Republic of Somaliland is its own master when it comes to the management of its airspace. “Somaliland welcomes all international inbound flights unless they are included in the list of banned flights published by Somaliland Aviation Authority,” he added.
Mr Rodol accused the neighboring Somalia of attempting to mislead the international airlines that pass through Somaliland airspace. Mogadishu Air Traffic controllers are contacting pilots on route to Hargeisa Airport and discouraging them against the use Egal International Airport at Hargeisa, the seat of the Somaliland government.
For instance, on 20 March, the pilot of an Ethiopian Airline in route from Addis Ababa to Hargeisa was receiving conflicting notes from Mogadishu and Hargeisa towers, so much so, that he has to make several circular movements over the town of Jigjiga, close to the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland, as indicated by the radar Image below:-
Finally, the pilot contacted Addis tower and was told to proceed with his journey and land at Egal Airport in Hargeisa as planned.
This mid-air aircraft hijacking on the part of Mogadishu Air Traffic Controllers is seen by many as new Somali Air-piracy. But this time it is State-Sponsored Somali Air-Piracy.
It is interesting to note that the management of the airspace of former Somali Republic was transferred to ICAO following the collapse of Siyad Barre Dictatorship in 1991, as Somalia became a failed state.
The disputed airspace is currently classified as uncontrolled class G by ICAO which means Mogadishu has no power to close the airspace for any reason. But they are working on upgrading their status and trying to reclaim what was once Mogadishu Airspace.
On the hand, Somaliland completely rejects the notion that its airspace is under Mogadishu control, as
ICAO is well aware of this reality on the ground and pressing for settlement of the dispute through dialogue and negotiations.
For that reason, many observers believe the only safe way of resolving this dispute is through negotiated settlement and mutual understanding. Failing to do so, each – Hargeisa and Mogadishu – has the ability to “send NOTAM to ICAO, a notification labeling the nature of the airspace as ” Disputed Airspace”.
In such case, the entire air space of the Somali Peninsular will be closed and off limit to international aviation. That outcome would be detrimental to both and the consequences could be catastrophic
Hassan Abdi Yousuf
Geopolitical Analyst
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Somaliland Intellectuals Institute (SII), its partners, or sponsors. SII is a non-partisan organization that seeks to publish well-argued, policy-oriented articles on Somaliland foreign policy and nation's priorities in education, healthcare, economy, energy, and infrastructure.