Somalia: New air traffic control tower angers Somaliland ahead of Turkey talks

HARGEISA, Somalia, October 14, 2015 (Garowe Online)-New air traffic control tower, whose foundation stone was laid by Federal Government of Somalia’s Prime Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke angered Somaliland’s separatist administration as another round of dialogue is drawing closer, Garowe Online reports.

Before leaving for the Turkish city of Istanbul, Somaliland Civil Aviation Minister, Mohamud Hashi unveiled on VOA Somali Service that they will focus more on the management of national airspace at Istanbul talks, in what seems to be a move prompted by the construction of the control tower.

On October 11, Prime Minister Sharmarke cut the ribbon of aviation structure built by Turkish company that now handles services at Mogadishu’s Adan Adde International Airport.

“A delegation consisting of me and four other members will be attending Turkey-brokered dialogue. [Agendas] will mainly focus on the future of Somalia national airspace control,” said Hashi, adding that representatives from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) were invited.

He took a swipe at Somalia’s Federal Government for unilaterally installing air traffic control tower in Mogadishu.

“A new tower won’t become a solution to the standing difference. On our side, we would not compromise our nationhood,” he added.

In mid-2013, Mogadishu-based federal government and Somaliland agreed to establish bilateral control body, to be based in Hargeisa.

Previous rounds deflected sensitive issues including Somaliland’s bid for independence.

Delegations representing the two sides are slated to meet in Turkey for another round of dialogue this week.  

GAROWE ONLINE