© SLTV
Officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development of the Republic of Somaliland pose for a group photo during the inauguration of new facilities at Egal International Airport in Hargeisa.
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The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro), paid a working visit today to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Development, where he met with the Minister and senior officials of the Ministry and inaugurated new facilities and services recently added to the Egal International Airport in Hargeisa.
During the visit, the Minister of Civil Aviation and Airport Development, Mr. Fu’ad Ahmed Nuh, briefed the President in detail on the ongoing operations at the Egal International Airport and within the Ministry, outlining the improvements made in aviation services and infrastructure that benefit both domestic and international passengers.
The President also toured the Flight Information Center (FIC), which has been newly equipped with advanced systems designed to enhance Somaliland’s upper airspace management and air traffic control. While inspecting the facilities, the President praised the Minister, Deputy Minister, Director General, and staff of the Ministry for their dedication to modernizing the nation’s aviation sector, upgrading airports, and improving flight services. He emphasized that civil aviation is one of the key pillars connecting the nation and strengthening Somaliland’s international reputation.
President Cirro reaffirmed that his administration places special priority on safeguarding Somaliland’s airspace sovereignty and building full technical and administrative capacity to ensure that Somaliland independently manages its own skies.
Following the inspection, the President chaired the National Airspace Management High-Level Coordination Meeting, which focused on key issues related to Somaliland’s airspace sovereignty, aviation safety, e-Visa policy, and the enhancement of air communication systems and international flight management.
The President appointed an inter-ministerial committee to oversee and advise on Somaliland’s upper airspace management. The committee consists of officials from the Ministries of Civil Aviation, Interior and National Security, the Presidency, Defense, and the President’s Legal Advisor.
The meeting concluded with a strong communiqué affirming Somaliland’s full authority, sovereignty, and safety responsibility over its airspace, land, and sea. It stated that permission for the use of Somaliland’s airspace must be obtained exclusively from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Development, in accordance with national and international laws. The government declared that Somalia’s newly introduced e-Visa system has no validity or jurisdiction over Somaliland, and that entry into Somaliland cannot be made through that system.
The communiqué also announced that starting from November 10th, 2025, all aircraft operating in Somaliland’s upper airspace must obtain official clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Development. It further appealed to the international community, including global aviation authorities such as ICAO and IATA, as well as the United Nations, to take note of the illegal interference by Somalia, which poses a threat to civilian aviation and undermines international aviation standards.
In his closing remarks, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi made it clear that Somaliland will not rely on any external entity for the management of its airspace, emphasizing that the issue is a matter of national sovereignty and a core symbol of Somaliland’s independence.
