Somaliland:SFG Officials Allowed to Use Airports Facilities while on Transit for the First time

By Goth Mohamed Goth

The government of Somaliland has for the first time in 23 years lifted a ban which barred officials from the Somalia federal government to using airports facilities travelling in transit through the country this was announced on Friday by the Minister of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Hon Mahmoud Hashi Abdi.

The Aviation Minister speaking to the Press after the inauguration of several new services at the Egal International Airport said, “Our airports are now rated as international airports and we shouldn’t let political differences interfere neither affect how we run and operate our airports , politician from Somalia should be treated as those from neighboring Ethiopia and Djibouti and we should also treat them with respect and in a dignified way while in transit although such hospitality would not apply to those trying to enter or pass through customs in a bid to stay in the country because current laws don’t allow SFG officials to enter the country.

Hon Mahmoud Hashi Abdi added, “Today several officials from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland today (Friday) including Puntlands Minister of finance were allowed to use our airports for rest while on transit.

On the other hand the Minister of Aviation addressed the issue of local opposition leaders being blocked from using the airport facilities in the past had this to say, “We (current government) were the opposition of yesterday and we know the important role the opposition plays in the country political decision making hence the need to treated the opposition members with respect due although we have had incidences in the past involving the some opposition leader , I say let the by gone be the by gone, I assure all leader in the opposition will be treated in a respectful manner,

SomalilandPress.Com