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Saturday, August 24, 2024
Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Jibril Abdulrashid Haji, addresses key issues at a government meeting in Mogadishu, stressing the need to implement directives aimed at preserving the country’s territorial integrity. Photo credit: SONNA
MOGADISHU (HOL) — The Federal Government has issued a strict order requiring all remittance companies and businesses operating in Somalia, specifically Paysii, Dahabshiil, Jubba Express and other financial institutions, to remove any reference to “Somaliland” from their websites and financial services. The memorandum, which aims to strengthen the territorial integrity of Somalia, will come into effect on September 1 and violators will face legal consequences under Somali law.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stressed that the use of the term “Somaliland” undermines the sovereignty and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The ministry warned that companies that fail to comply will be considered to be violating the country’s independence and could be severely punished. The directive is part of Somalia’s efforts to ensure that all entities operating within its territory adhere to the official position that Somaliland remains part of Somalia. The government has recently taken similar actions, including forcing international airlines to comply with the regulations.
Earlier this week, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Narrowly avoids suspension Ethiopian Airlines complied with the requirement to correctly label Somalia destinations on its booking platform. The airline initially used only airport codes to circumvent the issue and later updated its system to reflect the correct naming convention required by SCAA.
Flydubai, the UAE’s national airline, also quickly complied with the SCAA’s directive by removing the word “Somaliland” from its booking page and correctly listing “Hargeisa, Somalia” as the destination.
The dispute between Somalia and the self-proclaimed independent republic of Somaliland has escalated in recent months, particularly after Somaliland reached a controversial agreement in January to allow landlocked Ethiopia to build a naval base on its coastline. The agreement also included the construction of ports and transport corridors.
Somalia and Somaliland have been at odds since 1991, when Somaliland declared independence following the collapse of the central government. Despite Somaliland’s declaration of independence, its sovereignty has not been recognized by the international community. The Federal Government in Mogadishu insists that Somaliland remains part of Somalia and has consistently opposed any actions that suggest otherwise.
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