Somalia Rejects Claims of Baidoa Flight Ban as Propaganda

Somalia’s federal government dismissed reports of flight suspensions to Baidoa as political misinformation on Thursday, amid escalating tensions with regional authorities in the South West State.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) confirmed to aviation industry sources that commercial flights between Mogadishu and Baidoa continue to operate normally, contradicting earlier newspaper reports claiming service disruptions.

“That is propaganda against the federal government. Flights are landing at Baidoa normally, with no restrictions,” an SCAA spokesperson said, responding to claims that had circulated since mid-March.

The controversy emerged after several media outlets reported on March 17 that civilian flights to Baidoa, the administrative capital of the semi-autonomous South West State, had been suspended. These reports coincided with social media posts suggesting the regional administration had formally cut ties with the federal government in Mogadishu.

Jubba Airways, a key carrier operating Fokker 50 services on the route, clarified the situation by confirming that “commercial flights are going well” but acknowledged that “some flights carrying Somali members of parliament had been prevented from landing.” This selective restriction points to the political nature of the dispute rather than a comprehensive aviation shutdown.

The tensions reflect deeper constitutional disagreements that have strained Somalia’s federal structure. According to local reports, South West State has declared it would no longer coordinate with Mogadishu on security, fiscal, or administrative matters – a significant challenge to federal authority in the fragile nation.

At the core of the dispute are constitutional amendments recently advanced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration in Mogadishu. These changes have faced staunch opposition from several regional states that view them as an attempt to centralize power at their expense.

The Somali Guardian reports that South West State has joined Puntland and Jubaland regional authorities in rejecting the amended constitution, which they characterize as “unlawfully drafted” and a threat to Somalia’s federalist system.

Somalia’s complex political landscape has long been defined by tensions between the central government and regional administrations. The country’s federal system, established after decades of civil war, was designed to balance central authority with regional autonomy, particularly important in a nation with strong clan loyalties and regional identities.

This latest dispute threatens to undermine fragile progress in rebuilding state institutions after years of conflict and instability. Somalia continues to face significant challenges including the ongoing threat from al-Shabaab militants, climate-related disasters, and economic hardship.

The selective targeting of flights carrying federal parliamentarians illustrates how infrastructure and transportation links can become leverage points in political disputes. Aviation connectivity is particularly crucial in Somalia, where road travel between major cities remains dangerous due to security concerns.

International partners, including the United Nations and regional organizations like the African Union, have repeatedly urged Somalia’s political leaders to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Analysts suggest that without compromise, the constitutional crisis could further fragment Somalia’s governance structure at a time when unity is essential to address security threats and developmental challenges. The dispute also risks diverting attention and resources from the fight against extremist groups that continue to control significant territory in parts of the country.

For ordinary Somalis in Baidoa and elsewhere, the continuation of commercial flights represents a critical lifeline for business, family connections, and access to services unavailable locally, underscoring the importance of keeping civilian infrastructure separate from political disputes.