The Kulmiye Party in Somaliland has welcomed the International Air Transport Association (IATA) decision to require a visa issued by Somaliland when landing at Hargeisa and Berbera airports, although it also noted that visas issued by the federal government of Somalia are required throughout Somalia.
In a press release issued by the KULMIYE Party, it said that the IATA decision “…shows that Somaliland is independent in its immigration and entry procedures, and fully controls its borders by land, sea and air.”
The party also described the move as a “historic victory,” citing the significant role played by the public and the diaspora. The press release said that the community’s efforts were part of “preventing a plan that the Somali government claimed was intended to violate the sovereignty of Somaliland.”
KULMIYE praised the government for the steps it has taken, noting that the equipment brought to Somaliland’s airspace and put into operation on November 10 was previously prepared by the party and put into operation during its term in office, which they said played a role in the activities of Somaliland has carried out in its airspace.
The statement also urged the government and the people to continue their efforts to defend Somaliland’s independence. It also said that it was necessary to “establish a Somaliland-specific E-Visa system.”
Finally, KULMIYE said that the party “always stands for defending Somaliland’s independence,” and is ready to work with the government.
Somaliland has strongly opposed Somalia’s visa-free regime, which the federal government has described as a security measure. Somaliland has said that unauthorized aircraft cannot use its airspace, and has claimed that it has achieved success in its actions, although its claims cannot be independently verified.
