In brief
- On 30 August 2019, Horn Diplomat reported that Somalia's federal government announced a directive requiring all planes flying to Kismayo Airport to first land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.
- The report does not establish whether the directive took effect, is enforced, or remains active; it provides no document number, issuing ministry, or named official.
- The directive emerged amid accusations by President Farmaajo's administration that Kenya imposed Ahmed Madobe as Jubbaland president and interfered in Somalia's internal affairs.
On 30 August 2019, Horn Diplomat reported that the federal government of Somalia announced a directive requiring all planes flying to Kismayo Airport to first land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu. According to that report, the directive covered both international and local flights to and from Kismayo, requiring a stopover at the Mogadishu airport first.
The report does not establish whether the directive took effect, was enforced, or remains active after that date. Horn Diplomat did not publish a document number, issuing ministry, or date of effect, and quoted no named official or spokesperson for the announcement.
The directive came amid deteriorating relations between Kenya and Somalia, with Nairobi accused of meddling in Somalia's internal affairs, Horn Diplomat reported. President Mohamed Farmaajo's administration accused Kenya of imposing Ahmed Madobe as president of Jubbaland region, according to the report. The report also said Farmaajo's administration accused Kenya of using force to grab the Indian Ocean maritime border, and the Mogadishu administration accused Madobe of collaborating with Kenya against Somalia's territorial integrity.
Horn Diplomat reported several incidents involving Kismayo Airport without giving dates. Kenya Defence Forces blocked an Ethiopian plane from landing at Kismayo Airport during the Jubbaland polls, the report said. A KDF team and Jubbaland authorities closed the airport, and later KDF and Madobe's administration lifted the ban on a Tuesday, the report stated. A Kismayo airport staff member identifying himself as Ismail told Reuters, as cited by Horn Diplomat, that a plane took off from Gode in southeastern Ethiopia and landed at Baidoa after being denied clearance to land at Kismayo because it did not send information in advance. Ismail said it was not certain whether the plane was civilian or military.
The report said most flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport end at Kismayo Airport in Jubbaland, so the directive will affect Kenya. That claim was made without traffic data or a named source.
The report does not state any figure, currency, cost, or economic impact arising from the directive.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the ban imposed?
The directive came amid deteriorating relations between Kenya and Somalia, with Nairobi accused of meddling in Somalia's internal affairs, according to Horn Diplomat on 30 August 2019.
Which airlines are affected?
Horn Diplomat reported that most flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport end at Kismayo Airport in Jubbaland, so the directive will affect Kenya, but it named no specific airlines.
Is it temporary or permanent?
The report does not state whether the directive is temporary or permanent, and it does not establish whether it took effect or remains active.