The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has issued a stark warning to Ethiopian Airlines, threatening to suspend all flights to Somalia if the airline does not address concerns regarding Somalia’s sovereignty. This move comes amid escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, driven by a territorial dispute involving the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The dispute intensified following Ethiopia’s signing of an agreement in January 2024 with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that is not internationally recognized. The agreement grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline for the next 50 years in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland as a separate entity.
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Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, views this deal as a direct violation of its sovereignty. The Somali government has condemned Ethiopia’s actions, with the SCAA expressing frustration over Ethiopian Airlines’ recent conduct. Specifically, the SCAA has taken issue with the airline’s removal of Somali destination names from its booking systems, interpreting this as an affront to Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The SCAA has given Ethiopian Airlines a deadline of August 23, 2024, to address these concerns. If the airline fails to do so, all flights to Somalia will be suspended, potentially disrupting travel and trade between the two countries.
This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing territorial dispute and could have broader implications for relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, two countries with a complex and often contentious history.
