Grounded in Politics: Why the U.S. must reconsider its stance on Somali airspace and Somaliland

Grounded in Politics: Why the U.S. must reconsider its stance on Somali airspace and Somaliland

In a geopolitical turbulence, a small aircraft en route to Hargeisa was recently grounded not due to mechanical failure or adverse weather, but by a political directive from Somalia.

Grounded in Politics: Why the U.S. Must Reconsider Its Stance on Somali Airspace and Somaliland

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 18 – In a revealing episode of geopolitical turbulence, a small aircraft en route to Hargeisa was recently grounded—not due to mechanical failure or adverse weather, but by a political directive from Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu. The aircraft, operated by East African Aviation, was denied access to Somali airspace, reportedly because it had previously provided services to clients in the Jubaland administration—on…