(07 Mar 2025) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — Former Somali Prime Minister and presidential candidate, Abdi Farah Shirdon, has called on the Federal Government to fully lift flight bans on Jubaland, following the resumption of flights to Bardhere.
In a statement issued today, Shirdon welcomed the reopening of Bardhere’s airspace but insisted that restrictions on Dolow, Balad-Hawo, and other towns must be removed immediately. He described the bans as unconstitutional and harmful to civilians, businesses, and humanitarian efforts.
The flight restrictions were imposed in late 2024 after Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe secured a third term in an election that the Federal Government refused to recognize, citing alleged irregularities. The move escalated tensions between Mogadishu and Jubaland, with the flight bans disrupting trade, public services, and regional humanitarian operations.
Shirdon highlighted the recent death of Farhiyo Hussein, a Bardhere resident who passed away last week due to a lack of access to urgent medical care. He described her death as a tragic consequence of the restrictions and called on the government to prioritize civilian needs over political disputes.
Following weeks of pressure, the first post-ban flight landed in Bardhere on Friday, marking a tentative step toward easing restrictions. However, Dolow and Balad-Hawo remain cut off from air travel, affecting thousands of residents and disrupting critical supply chains. Aid organizations have warned that the ongoing restrictions are worsening food insecurity and access to healthcare in affected areas.
The Federal Government has responded to Shirdon’s latest appeal, with the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) denying that any official flight ban exists. The first flight to Bardhere was cleared for landing shortly after the statement. However, critics argue that the restrictions were politically motivated and intended to pressure Jubaland’s leadership rather than address legitimate security concerns.
With Bardhere’s airspace now reopened but other towns still under restrictions, pressure is mounting on the Federal Government to clarify its stance and ensure free movement across the region. The situation remains a key test for federal-state relations as Somalia heads toward its next political cycle.
Halqabsi News
