Somalia and Tanzania Greenlight Direct Flights: A New Era in Bilateral Relations

Somalia and Tanzania have agreed to resume direct flights between Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam, marking a significant step forward in strengthening ties between the two countries. The decision was announced during Somalia’s 65th Independence Day celebrations held in Tanzania, which also featured the official reopening of Somalia’s newly renovated embassy in Dar es Salaam.

Somalia’s Ambassador to Dar es Salaam, Ilyas, took center stage at the ceremony, emphasizing that the launch of direct flights will not only ease travel but also significantly boost trade, tourism, and cargo transportation. “This historic decision will deepen the bonds between our nations and bring the people of Somalia and Tanzania closer together,” Ambassador Ilyas said.

Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, confirmed that both governments had agreed to update the bilateral air services agreement, allowing flights to operate without the need for stopovers in cities like Nairobi or Addis Ababa.

Ambassador Ilyas described the reopening of Somalia’s embassy in Dar es Salaam as a milestone in Somalia’s renewed efforts to engage actively on the international stage. He noted that under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s leadership, Somalia has made progress in rebuilding institutions and advancing national reconciliation.

The celebration was attended by a high-level Somali delegation led by Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, including six cabinet ministers and six members of parliament. Minister Ali highlighted Somalia’s historic contributions to African peace efforts, recalling its past mediation in the conflict between Uganda and Tanzania.

The event also revealed ongoing discussions between the two governments to finalize agreements in areas such as immigration, education, aviation, fisheries, and agriculture. Plans were also announced to establish a Joint Ministerial Commission and a Parliamentary Friendship Committee to oversee cooperation.

Representatives from both sides emphasized that Somalia’s recent admission to the East African Community (EAC) marks a major milestone in regional integration, expressing optimism that it will open doors for closer collaboration between Somalia and EAC member states.