Saturday November 30, 2024
Jubaland Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation addressing key aviation policy directives during a press conference in Kismayo, Somalia.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Jubaland’s government has ordered airlines operating in its territories to adhere strictly to regional aviation regulations, directing them to cooperate exclusively with officials appointed by the state’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. The move comes as tensions with Somalia’s Federal Government continue to escalate over control of the region.
In a directive this week, the Jubaland Ministry warned airlines against working with unauthorized personnel in aviation-related matters. “Ministry-appointed officials must manage all aviation services in Jubaland. Noncompliance will not be tolerated,” the statement said. The ministry emphasized the need for appointed managers to coordinate closely with district administrators and security agencies to ensure smooth operations.
The announcement follows a series of military deployments by Somalia’s Federal Government, which has recently sent troops to parts of Jubaland using flights originating from Mogadishu. These operations have heightened concerns in Jubaland, where leaders view the deployments as an attempt to undermine the region’s autonomy.
The directive is the latest in a series of moves by Jubaland to assert control over its territories as the political standoff with Mogadishu intensifies. Jubaland officials accuse the Federal Government of infringing on their authority, exacerbating a conflict that has long strained relations between the two administrations.
Jubaland, a semi-autonomous state in southern Somalia, has often been at odds with the Federal Government over governance, resource control, and security. The region’s leadership views the latest troop movements as part of a broader federal strategy to expand influence in areas traditionally under Jubaland’s control.
Observers say the growing rift highlights Somalia’s fragile federal system, which has struggled to balance power-sharing between Mogadishu and regional states. As Jubaland tightens its grip on internal affairs, questions remain about how these disputes will shape the country’s stability and governance.
By reinforcing its authority over aviation services, Jubaland aims to send a clear message to Mogadishu: regional autonomy is not negotiable, even in the face of mounting pressure from the Federal Government.