Somalia: Puntland leader opposes airspace control agreement

GAROWE, Somalia Dec 23, 2014 (Garowe Online)-The President of Somalia’s Puntland Government Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has voiced opposition to the recent bilateral agreement signed in Djibouti by Mogadishu-based Federal Government and Somaliland’s separatist administration, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking on VOA Somali Service during Tuesday’s interview, President Ali expressed concern over the move a day after he welcomed Mogadishu-Somaliland talks.

Ali said that Puntland had since been part of the airspace control agreement but the Djibouti talks devolved into two-party deal that isolated the northeastern state from national issues including Somaliland’s bid for succession.

“We raise a question about the management of national airspace. The matters surrounding air traffic were commenced in May 2011 when I was serving as Minister of Planning,” noted Puntland leader, adding that a deal in Kenyan capital of Nairobi at the time brought together Puntland, Somaliland and Somalia Federal Government.

“I don’t agree with the handover of national airspace management to Somaliland but Mogadishu had been a hub for airspace control body,” he indicated.

On July 10, 2013, at Istanbul talks, delegations from Somaliland and Mogadishu agreed on the formation of bilateral control body that would have had a base in Hargeisa.

GAROWE ONLINE