SOMALIA: Somalia Warns of Potential Ethiopian Airlines Flight Suspension Over Territorial Dispute

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Somalia has issued a stern warning to Ethiopian Airlines, threatening to halt all flights to its territory amid a growing territorial dispute. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) voiced concerns on August 21, 2024, about the airline’s lack of response regarding issues tied to Somali sovereignty.

Tensions have escalated following Ethiopia’s January 2024 agreement with the separatist region of Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years in exchange for recognition. Somalia views this move as a blatant violation of its sovereignty. The SCAA further expressed frustration over Ethiopian Airlines’ removal of Somali destination names from its systems, deeming it an undermining of Somalia’s authority.

Ethiopian Airlines has been given a deadline of August 23, 2024, to address these issues, or all flights will be suspended. According to the SCAA, “Ethiopian Airlines must respect Somalia’s sovereignty and correct its actions, or face consequences.”