Politics

Ethiopian Airlines under threat from Somalia for ‘sovereignty violations’

Published

3 months 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

Mali’s junta names spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga new Prime Minister

Published

19 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A day after dismissing Choguel Maiga for criticising the government, Mali’s governing junta named its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as Prime Minister on Thursday, according to state broadcaster, ORTM.

A source close to Choguel Maiga told Reuters that the ruling generals were incensed by Maiga’s remarks over the weekend denouncing the junta’s inability to hold elections within the 24-month timeframe given for the return to democracy.

After promising to hold elections in February, the military authorities, who took control in two separate coups in 2020 and 2021, have put off the poll indefinitely, citing technological difficulties.

Choguel Maiga’s firing coincides with indications of growing discontent and disarray among Mali politicians, even those who first supported the coup and collaborated with the junta.

As the wait for elections continues, Choguel Maiga, a civilian prime minister who was installed by the military junta in 2021, is the most recent to lose support.

He was cited on Saturday as claiming he learnt of the junta’s decision via the media and that there had been no discussion regarding the delay of the elections inside the cabinet.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.

Before then, he had frequently stood up for Mali’s junta against criticism from foreign friends and neighbours in West Africa who denounced its repeated election delays and military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.

As government spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, the new prime minister, has also made strong public remarks against France, the previous colonial master. One such speech was demanding French President Emmanuel Macron to stop his “neocolonial” and “condescending” behaviour.

Abdoulaye Maiga and Assimi Goita, the leaders of the junta, announced they had kept all of the important cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new administration in a statement that was broadcast on state television ORTM.

The announcement said that Abdoulaye Maiga will remain minister of territory administration.

Politics

Congo opposition mobilizes protests against constitution review

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In response to President Felix Tshisekedi’s intentions to amend the constitution, opposition lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have called for national protests on Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for his second and last term in January, said that a panel would be formed in October to recommend possible constitutional amendments.

According to critics, it may be a ploy to lift term restrictions and give him another chance to run.

Tshisekedi said the current constitution, ratified by a referendum in 2005, needed to change because it did not align with the country’s current realities.

Opposition politicians, including former president Joseph Kabila and past presidential candidates Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi, issued a unified statement on Wednesday urging rallies to “block” Tshisekedi.

A request for a response from the Congo’s presidency was not answered.

Patrick Muyaya, the minister of communications, stated on Monday that discussions surrounding the constitutional revision should be de-politicized and that no one should doubt the president’s intentions.

“We’re at the beginning of our mandate… The President of the Republic still has four years to go, and we must avoid attributing intentions to him,” Muyaya told reporters.