Somaliland Government Addresses Latest Developments on Airspace Administration and the E-Visa Dispute.
Hargeisa — (Hornpost) The Somaliland government has spoken on the ongoing dispute with Somalia over airspace control and the recently compromised Somali E-visa system.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Dahir Bakal and Minister of Aviation and Airports Development of the Republic of Somaliland Fuad Ahmed Nouh briefed the media on Wednesday, outlining what they described as progress made by Somaliland in asserting authority over its airports and airspace.
Foreign Minister Bakal urged the international community to exercise caution regarding Somalia’s E-visa platform, which he said had been hacked and exposed users’ data.
“We warn the world that Somalia’s E-visa system has been breached and that the personal information of global travelers could fall into the hands of extremist groups,” he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland Abdirahman Bakal added that Somaliland had formally notified international partners through diplomatic channels that it manages its own airports and airspace. According to him, Hargeisa has made it clear that Somalia “has no authority whatsoever” over Somaliland’s aviation domain, citing supporting documentation from airport and immigration agencies.
Minister of Aviation and Airports Development of the Republic of Somaliland Fuad Ahmed Nouh said Somaliland had secured recognition from international aviation bodies for its Visa on Arrival policy at Hargeisa and Berbera airports—effectively ending the relevance of Somalia’s E-visa for travelers heading to Somaliland.
Minister of Aviation and Airports Development of the Republic of Somaliland Fuad Ahmed Nuh accused Somalia of twice attempting in 2025 to block flights destined for Somaliland, efforts he said Hargeisa successfully countered.
“We want the people of Somaliland to know that the E-visa issue has been closed. Visas will continue to be issued on arrival in Hargeisa and Berbera,” he said.
The minister reiterated that Somaliland assumed full control of its airspace on 10 November 2025, adding that aviation directives now come exclusively from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Hargeisa in line with international standards.
Fuad thanked the public for standing with the government during the airspace dispute, stressing that all actions taken by Somaliland comply with both local and international aviation law.
Minister of Aviation and Airports Development of the Republic of Somaliland fuad Ahmed Nuh also delivered a message to the Federal Government of Somalia:
“Somalia must respect the reality that Somaliland is an independent state with full rights over its airspace and airports. We will not negotiate with the authority we legally hold. Whatever opportunities Somalia once had regarding Somaliland have ended.”
Somaliland and Somalia have long been at odds over airspace management, a dispute that escalated after Somalia took unilateral control and withdrew from a prior agreement that envisioned joint administration from Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
Prepared:
Hornpost staff Reporter
Hargeisa, Somaliland
