By: Aisha Elmi

Mogadishu/Kismayo – A dramatic dispute has erupted between the Somali Federal Government and Jubaland State over allegations of a “hijacking” involving a commercial aircraft at Kismayo Airport. The Federal Government has accused Jubaland authorities of forcibly seizing control of a Halla Airlines flight on December 23, 2024, in what it describes as a “dangerous and unlawful act.” Jubaland has categorically denied the allegations, escalating tensions between the central government and the semi-autonomous region.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) issued a scathing statement accusing Jubaland officials of commandeering the aircraft upon landing in Kismayo. The SCAA alleged that Jubaland personnel forcibly took over the plane’s communication systems, jeopardizing the safety of passengers and crew onboard.

“This incident poses a serious threat to the security of Somalia’s civil aviation and passenger safety,” the statement read. “It is a reckless and irresponsible act that violates national aviation protocols.”

The Federal Government claimed that the incident has already had consequences, with scheduled flights to Kismayo being canceled due to security fears. The SCAA said it has launched an urgent investigation to uncover the full details of what it described as a “shocking violation of Somali aviation laws.”

Jubaland Fires Back

Jubaland’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation swiftly rejected the Federal Government’s accusations, calling them unfounded and politically motivated. In its counterstatement, Jubaland insisted that no unlawful actions took place at Kismayo Airport and accused Mogadishu of exploiting the incident to undermine the region’s autonomy.

“This is a baseless claim designed to politicize aviation issues,” the Jubaland statement declared. “Kismayo Airport is one of the safest in the country, and there were no threats to passenger or aircraft safety.”

Jubaland also accused the Federal Government of interfering in its airspace management and attempting to centralize control over aviation operations in a move that violates the federal framework.

The accusations of hijacking have added a new layer of tension to the already strained relationship between Somalia’s Federal Government and its federal member states. Jubaland and Mogadishu have clashed repeatedly over governance, territorial control, and resource management, but this latest incident involving the country’s aviation sector has sparked widespread concern.

Observers warn that such disputes could have far-reaching implications for Somalia’s stability, particularly as it works to rebuild key infrastructure like aviation after decades of conflict. Airlines operating in Somalia may also become wary of flying into contested regions, further isolating areas like Kismayo and affecting local economies.

The Somali Federal Government has vowed to get to the bottom of the incident and hold those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, Jubaland has called for a de-escalation of tensions, urging Mogadishu to focus on cooperation rather than conflict.

As the investigation unfolds, the international community and Somali stakeholders will be closely monitoring the situation. The outcome could set a critical precedent for how disputes between the Federal Government and its member states are resolved, particularly in sensitive areas like airspace management and regional autonomy.