Issued by: Horn of Africa Development Organisation (HODO)
Subject: Condemnation of the Weaponization of Civil Aviation by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)
1. Overview of the Crisis
The Horn of Africa Development Organisation (HODO) formally denounces the Federal Government of Somalia’s (FGS) persistent and unlawful exploitation of civil aviation and airspace management. For over three decades, the Republic of Somaliland has operated as a stable, democratic, and sovereign entity. In recent years, however, the FGS has moved to weaponize internationally recognized technical mechanisms to exert political pressure on Somaliland. This transition from technical administration to political coercion represents a direct threat to regional stability and a violation of international humanitarian norms.
2. The Case for the Republic of Somaliland
Somaliland stands as a rare success story in the Horn of Africa. Unlike the volatile political landscape in Mogadishu, Hargeisa has maintained:
Effective Governance: Exercise of full control over its territory, population, and borders for more than 35 years.
Legal Statehood: Fulfillment of the criteria set forth in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, including a permanent population, defined territory, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Democratic Maturity: A track record of peaceful transitions of power and established institutional frameworks.
HADO asserts that Somaliland’s demand for airspace sovereignty is not merely a political preference but a functional necessity for a state that already manages its own internal security, immigration, and economic development.
3. Condemnation of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)
HODO unequivocally condemns the FGS for transforming the skies into a battlefield of political retribution. The FGS has abandoned the neutral, safety-first mandate required by the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Specific Hostile Actions by the FGS:
Obstruction of Emergency Services: The FGS has repeatedly refused to authorize air ambulances and emergency medical evacuations for critically ill Somaliland citizens.
Interference with Humanitarian Aid: Relief flights during periods of acute need have been blocked or delayed for political leverage.
Discriminatory Regulation: Commercial aircraft destined for Somaliland that meet all international safety standards are frequently subjected to arbitrary denials of landing rights or transit.
These actions constitute a form of collective punishment against the people of Somaliland, using essential civilian infrastructure to achieve political ends that the FGS has failed to achieve through diplomacy.
4. Historical Context and Breach of Agreements
The current crisis is a direct result of the FGS’s refusal to honor internationally facilitated technical agreements reached between 2012 and 2015. These landmark talks explicitly stipulated:
Joint Management: Airspace was to be managed through a neutral, shared technical structure.
Operational Relocation: The Air Traffic Control operational base was to be moved to Hargeisa, recognizing Somaliland’s administrative capacity.
Revenue Sharing: Overflight fees were to be shared equitably, with agreed-upon ratios such as 40/60 or 50/50.
The FGS’s unilateral seizure of these revenues and control mechanisms is a blatant breach of trust and a violation of the spirit of international mediation.
5. Legal and Humanitarian Implications
The FGS’s current trajectory is not only unfair but legally indefensible under international law.
Safety Risks: By prioritizing political control over technical coordination, the FGS increases the risk of aviation accidents in the region.
Violation of Sovereignty: Article 111 of the Chicago Convention recognizes that every state has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory. The FGS’s attempts to override Somaliland’s control of its own skies are a violation of this foundational principle.
Coercion: Using data systems and visa regimes to force Somaliland into a federal system it has rejected is a violation of the right to self-determination.
6. Strategic Recommendations and Demands
HADO supports the Republic of Somaliland’s formal complaints to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and calls for the following immediate actions:
Administrative Independence: Somaliland must be granted full operational independence in managing its own airspace to ensure the safety of its citizens and visitors.
Establishment of Separate FIRs: If joint management remains impossible due to FGS hostility, the international community must move toward establishing two separate Flight Information Regions (FIRs).
International Oversight: Until a permanent solution is reached, HODO calls for the temporary return of airspace management to ICAO to ensure neutrality and the unhindered flow of humanitarian and medical flights.
Sanctions on Politicization: International bodies (UN, AU, EU) should hold FGS officials accountable for the weaponization of civilian infrastructure.
7. Conclusion
Airspace management must remain a neutral, technical service dedicated to human safety. The Federal Government of Somalia’s attempt to use the “power of the skies” to subjugate the Republic of Somaliland is a dangerous precedent that undermines international law.
Related: Strong Condemnation of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Politicized Visit to Las Anod
HADO stands firmly with the people of Somaliland in their quest for justice, safety, and the recognition of their inherent right to manage their own affairs. The international community must act now to prevent the FGS from further endangering lives in the pursuit of political dominance.
About HODO:
The Horn of Africa Development Organisation (HODO) is dedicated to peace, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights. We advocate for a region where international law is respected and where governance serves the needs of the people rather than the ambitions of political elites.
Your Sincerely,
Dr. Abdi Abdillahi Hassan
Chairperson
Horn of Africa Development Organisation (HODO)
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