In a move that is likely to excite diplomatic jitters, Somaliland has begun surveillance of its airspace and now requires all civil aircraft transiting through it to acquire prior authorization.
A directive issued November 2, 2025 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development (MOCAAD) wants all non-scheduled, commercial, and general aviation to first seek permission from the government before entering the Somaliland airspace.
The directive will take effect beginning November 10, 2025.
“Effective 10th November 2025, this directive is issued in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention 1944), and reaffirms the Republic of Somaliland’s complete jurisdiction and exclusive sovereignty over its land, maritime and airspace.” Read the memo in part.
Somaliland is situated at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, a key maritime as well as aviation trunk connecting Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the world. Its declaration of independence in 1991 is contested by the Federal Republic of Somalia. As such, it is not officially recognized by UN members.
Before the unification of The Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Somaliland was officially recognized in the 1960s.
Being an autonomous region that has enjoyed stability and development throughout the turmoil that followed the fall of Siad Barre in 1991, Somaliland hosts a number of consulates and maintains political contact with over 100 countries. However, its bid to get official recognition has always hit a snag. The latest effort saw President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro send an appeal for recognition to over 130 countries during the 34th Independence Celebrations in May 2025.
Most importantly, the surveillance on the airspace starts just a few months after the revival of Somali Airlines, the national carrier of The Republic of Somalia. Somaliland had launched its national carrier, the Somaliland Airlines in October, 2024. It is not clear when the airline will start passenger operations beyond the pilot training.
There have also been counteraccusations among different countries about the United Arab Emirates playing a key role in the supply of ammunition that is fuelling the Sudan conflict. UAE has denied arming the Sudan Rapid Support Forces.
Without casting aspersions, Somaliland said in its directive that the move aims to ensure safe, secure and orderly navigation in accordance with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
The country also aims to strengthen air traffic management “meteorological and aeronautical information’, as well as enhance emergency response, technical landing support, and search and rescue (SAR) operations at Hargeisa Egal International Airport (HGA) and Berbera International Airport (BBO).
Unauthorized flights will henceforth be deemed to be contravening national sovereignty and the government asserted that it would have no obligation but use ‘enforcement actions’ as required by national and international aviation law.
