The Jubaland State Government has expressed strong disappointment and condemnation over what it described as an irresponsible decision by the Federal Government of Somalia that endangered the lives of its advance delegation and the President’s security detail.
The incident occurred on Tuesday after authorities in Mogadishu denied an aircraft carrying the Jubaland delegation entry into the airspace of Aden Adde International Airport.
According to Jubaland officials, the aircraft had departed from Sayid Mohamed Abdille Hassan International Airport in Kismaayo and its flight details had been formally communicated in advance to the Civil Aviation Authority, the conference organizing committee, and federal security agencies.
However, as the aircraft approached Mogadishu for landing, it was reportedly ordered to return to Kismaayo without any confirmation that it had sufficient fuel for the return journey. Jubaland described the decision as hostile and irresponsible, noting that it placed the passengers at serious risk.
The Jubaland government further revealed that two civilian aircraft carrying passengers were also denied entry into Mogadishu’s airspace on the same day, a situation it said highlights growing aviation safety concerns and operational disorder.
President Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed Islam accused the Federal Government of deliberately delaying the Mogadishu Consultative Meeting, arguing that the latest actions demonstrate an attempt to derail the summit altogether.
“The behavior shows a lack of good faith and a failure to demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving the country’s complex challenges,” the president said in a press statement.
He dismissed reports suggesting that a joint committee had reached an agreement on the number of security personnel or guests accompanying the Jubaland President to Mogadishu, describing such claims as “false and baseless.”
Despite the setback, President Ahmed Sheikh Mohamed Islam reaffirmed Jubaland’s commitment to a lasting political solution and to the success of the upcoming Consultative Meeting.
However, he warned that the recent actions have created dangerous security conditions and raised serious concerns about the Federal Government’s reliability and responsibility.
