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Tanzania Lifts Kenya Airways Ban in Rapid Diplomatic Turnaround
In a swift U-turn, Tanzania Tuesday, January 16 lifted its ban on Kenya Airways flights just a day after imposing it, defusing a diplomatic spat triggered by a dispute over cargo flight permissions. The sudden suspension of Kenya Airways’ popular Nairobi-Dar es Salaam route, announced on Monday, had dealt a blow to regional air travel and threatened to further strain relations between the East African neighbors.
The catalyst for the row was Kenya’s recent rejection of a request by Tanzania’s national carrier, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), to operate cargo flights between Nairobi and third countries. Tanzania countered by accusing Kenya of violating a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) guaranteeing reciprocal treatment for airlines of both nations.
TCAA Director General Hamza S. Johari, citing the MoU violation, stated, “This decision is based on the principle of reciprocity, following the refusal by the Kenyan authorities to approve ATCL’s cargo flights despite the clear provisions of the MoU.”
Johari emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to international aviation regulations and bilateral agreements, reaffirming adherence to the Chicago Convention and other relevant treaties.
However, tensions cooled quickly after Kenyan authorities granted ATCL’s cargo flight request, prompting Tanzania to reinstate Kenya Airways’ approvals. Tanzanian authorities confirmed the reversal in a statement, citing the “positive development” regarding ATCL’s cargo operations.
The sudden suspension of KQ flights, with 33 weekly scheduled trips between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, would have significantly impacted air travel between the two East African nations. Thousands rely on this route for business, tourism, and family connections.
This is not the first time air travel between the two countries has been disrupted. In August 2020, Tanzania briefly banned KQ flights after Kenya’s quarantine restrictions targeted Tanzanian travelers. The ban was eventually lifted, but tensions remained.
Somalia Turns Away Ethiopian Plane in Territorial Dispute
Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have dipped to a new low after Somalia denied airspace access to an Ethiopian plane carrying officials bound for the breakaway region of Somaliland. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic row between the two countries.
The Ethiopian aircraft, identified as flight ET8273, was denied clearance to enter Somali airspace on Wednesday. According to Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the plane violated international regulations by failing to obtain prior permission. The plane, reportedly carrying Ethiopian officials intending to discuss a controversial port deal with Somaliland, was forced to return to Addis Ababa.
The denied flight stemmed from a recently signed agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, allowing Somaliland to lease a port to Ethiopia in exchange for a potential stake in Ethiopian Airlines and possible recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty. Somalia vehemently opposes this agreement, viewing it as an infringement on its territorial integrity and an act of aggression.
Somalia claims Somaliland as part of its territory, while Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and operates as a de facto state with its own government, currency, and security forces. However, no nation has formally recognized Somaliland’s independence.
Amidst escalating tensions, both the United States and the African Union have urged Somalia and Ethiopia to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to resolve the dispute peacefully. However, they have also reiterated their support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
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