Somalia’s Weaponization of Civilian Services: A Political Tactic that Undermines Peace and Dialogue

FlyDubai’s recent decision to deny boarding to 120 passengers bound for Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, has once again exposed how civilian services are being weaponized for political purposes. According to sources, the passengers were turned away for allegedly lacking Somali e-visas — a claim that holds no ground given Somaliland’s separate administrative and immigration systems.

This move is not just unfair — it’s a direct violation of passengers’ rights. Ordinary travelers, families, and business people have been caught in a political crossfire they had nothing to do with. The use of air travel restrictions as a political tool reflects a disturbing trend of coercion and intimidation rather than engagement and dialogue.

Somaliland has maintained peace, stability, and functioning institutions for more than three decades. It operates its own airports, issues its own travel documents, and has been a reliable partner for regional connectivity. Yet Somalia continues to exploit international aviation structures to disrupt Somaliland’s civilian operations and block access to international flights.

What makes this situation even more alarming is the silence of global aviation regulators. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations civil aviation body, is not a political institution. Its role is to uphold fairness, safety, and neutrality in air transport — not to serve the political interests of one side. Allowing Somalia to misuse ICAO mechanisms for political gain goes against the very principles the organization was created to protect.

Airline companies like FlyDubai also have a moral and professional responsibility. By yielding to politically driven interference, they undermine the trust of passengers and compromise international aviation standards. Airlines should not be enforcers of political decisions that discriminate against travelers based on geopolitical disputes.

The international community must not stand by while civilian rights are trampled. It is time for ICAO and global airlines to step up, reaffirm their neutrality, and ensure that air travel remains a bridge between people — not a weapon in political conflicts.

This is not just about passengers being denied a flight; it’s about protecting the integrity of global aviation and standing up against the politicization of basic human movement.