Politics

Ethiopian Airlines under threat from Somalia for ‘sovereignty violations’

Published

3 weeks ago

August 23, 2024

Ethiopian Airlines flights to and from Somalia have been threatened with suspension by the Somali government unless “violations of Somali sovereignty” about Ethiopian Airlines’ destinations are addressed.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) noted in a statement that it had previously corresponded with Ethiopian Airlines over the matter as early as August 14. Although it did not disclose specifics, several regional watchers believe it alludes to the airline’s flights to Hargeisa, Somaliland.

“It has come to our attention that, instead of addressing the sovereignty issues outlined in our letter, Ethiopian Airlines has made adjustments to its flight operations by removing references to Somali destinations and retaining only airport codes,” the statement said.

The Somali public has been filing “increasing numbers of complaints” to the SCAA about their travel experiences with Ethiopian Airlines, the agency added.

“If these issues are not resolved by August 23, 2024, SCAA will have no choice but to suspend all Ethiopian Airlines flights to Somalia, effective from that date. This would result in the cessation of Ethiopian Airlines services flights to Somalia.”

According to the SCAA, it won’t provide any advisories regarding upcoming actions. Officials from Ethiopian Airlines were called by VOA’s Horn of Africa Service; they have not yet responded to demands for comment.

However, Getachew Mengiste, the director of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, informs VOA that officials are aware of the problem. They haven’t yet had an official letter from the SCAA, though.

Mengiste promised to talk about the problem, look into its origin, and take appropriate action thereafter. For a long time, Ethiopian Airlines has operated flights to Somaliland.

Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January of this year. According to Hargeisa officials, the agreement would grant the latter recognition in exchange for Ethiopia leasing 20 kilometres of the seafront. This arrangement infuriated Somalia, which saw it as a breach of its sovereignty and territorial unity.

Fly Dubai, an airline operating in the United Arab Emirates, received a similar warning from the SCAA, claiming “serious violations committed by Fly Dubai regarding the representation of destinations served to/from Somalia in your official website, ticket booking platform, and mobile application.”

“These representations blatantly disregard the sovereignty of the Federal Government of Somalia and are unacceptable,” the statement said.

“All destinations to/from Somalia operated by Fly Dubai must clearly and correctly reference the name of the destination along with Somalia on both your official website and mobile application used for ticketing and booking services,” it said, adding, “This must be corrected no later than August 24, 2024.”

If the directive is not followed, Somalia has threatened to cancel Fly Dubai’s operating permit within its borders, “This decision will be enforced without further notice.”

Related Topics:Ethiopia Airline Featured

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Politics

Tunisian court mandates electoral commission to reinstate presidential contenders

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The highest court in Tunisia has issued an order requiring the electoral commission to re-enter two candidates for an October presidential election, cautioning that not doing so might compromise the election’s credibility.

The Administrative Court’s decision was made in rising political unrest in the nation of North Africa, where opposition parties and civil society organisations are concerned that a rigged election could give President Kais Saied a second term.

In the largest demonstration against constraints on liberties and the undemocratic electoral environment in Tunisia in two years, thousands of Tunisians came to the streets on Friday. Among the shouts screamed by the demonstrators was “Out with dictator Saied.”

Tensions increased after the electoral commission, citing purported flaws in their candidacy forms, rejected the court’s decision earlier this month to restore the candidatures of Abdellaif Mekki, Mondher Znaidi, and Imed Daimi ahead of the contest on October 6.

The president himself appointed the committee’s members, and major parties and civil society organisations claimed that this meant the president was using the inquiry as a weapon against his opponents.

Regarding the charges, commission president Farouk Bouasker has stated that “the commission is the only constitutional body entrusted with the integrity of the election” and refuted them. However, the commission must carry out its mandate and, if needed, revise the election schedule, the court ruled on Saturday. It’s unclear if this entails delaying the election or prolonging the campaign.

“Otherwise it would lead to an illegal situation that conflicts with the electoral law and the transparency of the electoral process”, it said.

Following their filing of a new complaint against the commission’s ruling, the court requested that Znaidi and Mekki be allowed to participate in the race. Daimi, the third contender, hasn’t yet submitted a second appeal.

After winning a democratic election in 2019, Saied strengthened his hold on power and started governing by decree in 2021—a move that the opposition has called a coup.

Politics

Under their new coalition, Mali, Burkina, Niger to launch biometric passports

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

As part of their departure from the West African bloc in favour of a new Sahel alliance, military authorities in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will implement new biometric passports, the countries’ leaders announced on Sunday.

Together, the three Sahelian neighbours run by juntas declared in January that they would be exiting the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), despite efforts by the organisation to convince them otherwise.

In July, the three West African nations signed a confederation treaty demonstrating their will to forge on together outside of the regional political and economic bloc that has been pressuring them to revert to democratic governance.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso declared that it will no longer be issuing passports with the ECOWAS emblem.

“In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonising travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world”, Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced on Sunday evening.

On the eve of the decision to form their alliance, the foreign ministers of the three nations will meet on Monday. He made this statement beforehand.

In addition, Goita announced that they intended to open a common information channel “to foster a peaceful exchange of information among our three states.”

Meanwhile, ECOWAS had warned that the 400 million residents of the 49-year-old bloc would lose their freedom of movement and access to the common market if the three countries were to exit,

Their withdrawal coincides with their troops fighting militants associated with the Islamic State and al Qaeda, whose insurgencies have caused instability in the area for the previous ten years and pose a threat to those bordering West Africa.