MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland authorities announced Wednesday that passenger planes whose airlines require travelers to have Somalia’s recently introduced e-visa will be denied entry into the breakaway region’s airspace and airports.
The decision comes after confusion and travel disruptions following Somalia’s launch of the electronic visa system earlier this month. Many diaspora members trying to visit Somaliland were reportedly refused boarding for not possessing Somalia’s e-visa. Even some Somaliland government officials were asked if they had one, raising questions about Somaliland’s claim of independence from Somalia.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated its own government, military, currency, and institutions. However, it lacks international recognition, and Mogadishu does not recognize its autonomy. Somalia’s federal government insists that Somaliland remains part of its territory and has sought to assert control over visas and airspace.
Somalia’s government previously instructed airlines and remittance companies to list Somaliland cities, such as Hargeisa, Burao, and Berbera, as part of Somalia on their websites. Most complied despite warnings from Somaliland authorities.
It remains unclear whether airlines, including those from Somaliland’s partners such as the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, will honor Somaliland’s new restrictions.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Somaliland and Somalia over sovereignty, with travel and border policies becoming the latest battleground.
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