MOGADISHU-The UN in Somalia has decried about the decision by the Somali government to shut down a special terminal in Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle Airport saying it was issued without sufficient consideration and consultation.
The UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM) however said it will comply with the order and has immediately closed down the facility which was used by UN and AMISOM staff.
“We take seriously any concerns that the Federal Government may raise about UN operations at any time and regret that this instruction to close was issued abruptly and with minimal prior consultation,” UNSOM said in a statement.
The @UN in #Somalia has issued the following statement in relation to developments with its passenger operations at Aden Adde International Airport in #Mogadishu: https://t.co/ii3mI7UUR1 pic.twitter.com/qwW9bdia4m
— UNSOM (@UNSomalia) December 26, 2021
It further stated that the accusations raised against it by the Somali government had not been submitted nor presented to them in ‘detail to permit an inquiry.’
Somalia government had on December 22 announced it was shutting down the UN and AMISOM special terminal in Mogadishu, noting it was being used to smuggle ‘uncontrolled commodities and for violations of immigration protocols.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release told the UN and Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) it was closing MOVCON terminal citing it was being used by unauthorized persons with no proper documentation.
The Somali government said it had credible evidence to substantiate that persons plying the terminal were neither UN nor AMISOM and people with limited or no proper documentation had been cleared to use the terminal.
UN and AMISOM staff have now be directed to use the main terminal and VIP Loung at Aden Adde Airport in Mogadishu following the closure of their dedicated terminal by Somali government over accusations of unauthorised use by travelers with no requisite documents and smuggling of ‘uncontrolled commodities’.
