Somalia blocks Ethiopian airline bound for Somaliland amid diplomatic tensions: summary

What we know

• On January 17, Mogadishu officials denied an Ethiopian Airlines flight entry into Somalia's airspace, citing the flight's lack of authorisation.
• The aircraft was reportedly travelling to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, a breakaway region, with a high-ranking Ethiopian delegation on board.
• According to Somalia's civil aviation, the Ethiopian aircraft was forced to return since it did not have the required clearance to be in Somali airspace.
• The development coincides with a diplomatic spat between Ethiopia and Somalia following Addis Ababa's signing of a memorandum of understanding with breakaway Somaliland to ensure its access to the Red Sea.

What they said

The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority in a press statement released on January 17 said, “Today, on 17/01/2024, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority denied entry to an Ethiopian Airlines plane, type Dash 8-Q400, bearing the flight number ET8372 en route to Hargeisa. The aircraft was turned back before entering Somalia's airspace due to the absence of the necessary permissions. In accordance with international aviation Law and Somali Regulations (SOMCARs) stipulate that flights must obtain clearance from the destination country prior to departure. The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority strictly prohibits any unauthorized aircraft from entering our airspace, while regular flights continue to operate without disruption.”