Rédaction Africa Links 24 with khaliil
The situation in the Horn of Africa is currently very unstable and volatile. Tensions between Somalia and Somaliland have been escalating since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland on January 1. This MoU allows Ethiopia access to the Red Sea through the Port of Berbera in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence and giving it a stake in Ethiopian Airlines. Somalia viewed this as a threat to its sovereignty and rejected the arrangement, leading to further tensions in the region.
One of the key points of contention is the control of airspace over Somalia. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) manages the airspace over Somalia and the surrounding ocean from the Mogadishu Area Control Center. Despite this, Somaliland has control over its airports but not the upper airspace. The ongoing dispute has led to conflicting instructions being given to airlines flying over the region, raising concerns about airline safety.
Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of the situation. The SCAA blocked an Ethiopian Airlines flight carrying delegates and an air ambulance from entering the airspace, leading to further acrimony between the two territories. Crews flying over Somalia have reported receiving conflicting instructions from different air traffic controllers, with some incidents narrowly avoiding collisions. The situation escalated further with reports of communication disturbances and an air traffic controller’s mysterious death in Mogadishu.
The consequences of the ongoing dispute are significant for the aviation sector in the region. Airlines have been advised to take precautions when flying over Somalia, with Ethiopian Airlines already altering its routes to avoid the country’s airspace. The risks associated with flying over Somalia have prompted airlines to implement mitigation measures to ensure the safety of their operations.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with IATA actively involved in coordinating efforts to ensure the continued safe operation of airlines in the region. The fate of operations over Somali airspace remains uncertain, with airlines facing challenges in navigating the airspace amidst the ongoing dispute. It is crucial for all parties involved to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict to avoid further escalation and ensure the safety of air travel in the Horn of Africa.
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