Faith Nyasuguta
Somalia has vowed to follow through on its threat to penalize any corporations operating within its borders that label or behave as if Somaliland is an independent state. Mogadishu had issued a directive requiring all firms with operations in Somalia to amend any information on their platforms by September 1, to clearly reflect that Somaliland is a part of Somalia.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) in Somalia, referencing the country’s provisional constitution, ordered companies to remove the name “Somaliland,” the self-declared independent territory, from their network information and replace it with “Somalia.”
This directive specifically targeted money transfer agencies such as Paysii, Dahabshil, and Jubba Express, along with other remittance companies. Ethiopian Airlines was also singled out for listing Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, as a destination in a separate country.
Somalia’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, reiterated on August 24, “Use ‘Somalia’ only in your systems as of September 1.” The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) also instructed airlines operating in Somalia to avoid labeling cities like Hargeisa, within Somaliland, as being distinct from Somalia.
This move is part of Somalia’s broader effort to assert its authority over Somaliland, which declared itself independent in 1991 but has not been recognized by any sovereign state. Tensions escalated earlier this year when Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that could grant Ethiopia access to a coastal strip to build a naval base, in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s autonomy.
This agreement sparked strong protests from Mogadishu, which accused Ethiopia of attempting to divide Somalia.
Somaliland argues that Somalia’s actions disregard its right to enter into international agreements independently. Ismail Shirwac, First Secretary at the Somaliland Liaison Mission in Nairobi, stated, “Somalia should not be quarrelling with Ethiopia, but instead should address the concerns of Somaliland. The core issue lies in Somaliland exercising its sovereign rights.”
Shirwac cited Somaliland’s past deals, such as an agreement with the UAE’s DP World, which Somalia had rejected on the grounds that Somaliland was still part of Somalia. “As long as Somalia denies the reality of Somaliland’s sovereignty, it risks further isolating itself on the global stage,” he added.
Somalia has historically responded quickly when other countries attempt to engage with Somaliland as an independent entity. In December 2020, Somalia severed diplomatic ties with Kenya after Nairobi hosted Somaliland’s president. Similarly, in 2019, Somalia cut ties with Guinea for giving Somaliland’s leader a red-carpet reception.
While Somaliland continues to seek international partnerships and engagement, these partnerships may now face challenges. Somali authorities have threatened to revoke the landing rights of airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai if they fail to comply with the directive. Ethiopian Airlines, which was criticized for labeling Hargeisa without specifying it as a part of Somalia, and Flydubai, which listed Somaliland as a separate location, have both been warned.
The tension between the two regions has also affected airline operations. Earlier this year, airlines reported receiving conflicting navigation instructions from air traffic controllers in Somalia and Somaliland, which posed safety risks. Despite this, only one Somali airspace is recognized internationally. Both Ethiopian Airlines and Flydubai eventually complied with Somalia’s directive to refer to Somaliland locations as part of Somalia, but not without initial resistance.
Ethiopian Airlines had requested more time to implement the changes, but this was denied by the SCAA, which stated, “Given the available technological capabilities, we believe the necessary corrections should not take more than two days.”
The directive has sparked strong reactions from leaders in Somaliland. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, a politician challenging Somaliland’s current president Muse Bihi in the upcoming elections, condemned Somalia’s actions as “blatant aggression.”
Khadar Hussein Abdi, Secretary-General of the opposition Wadani Party, argued that Somalia’s stance would only strengthen Somaliland’s resolve. He highlighted the historical context, noting that Somaliland’s quest for independence stems from the violence and turmoil during the late 1980s under the Siad Barre regime.
Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi also criticized Somalia’s move. At a public gathering in Hargeisa on August 26, he said, “President Hassan [Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud], who cannot secure his own palace in Mogadishu without foreign troops, is issuing directives to force planes landing in our territory and banks from operating under our name to change. These directives will not change the reality on the ground and our status.”
Somaliland, known as the British Somaliland Protectorate, gained independence from the UK on June 26, 1960, and voluntarily united with Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic on July 1, 1960. However, it unilaterally declared independence again on May 18, 1991, following the collapse of the Siad Barre regime, and has since maintained de facto autonomy with a functioning democracy, its own central bank, and a separate currency.
Meanwhile, corporations are weighing the potential gains or losses of compliance. Ethiopian Airlines, for instance, faces the prospect of losing business in Somalia, where it currently serves six destinations, including two daily flights to Mogadishu. Remittance companies and other entities have also approached the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), which has pledged to advocate on behalf of investors, manufacturers, and traders impacted by the new directive.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Mogadishu’s stance will affect the fragile relations in the Horn of Africa region and the ongoing efforts by Somaliland to achieve international recognition of its claimed independence.
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