Somaliland has announced it will no longer recognise visas or travel documents issued by Somalia, deepening a political standoff that continues to reshape movement and authority across the Horn of Africa.

Authorities in Hargeisa said anyone attempting to enter Somaliland with Somalia-issued documents will be denied entry, underscoring the region’s insistence on operating independently of Mogadishu despite lacking formal international recognition. The move coincides with a broader decision to strengthen control over its airspace, a domain long contested between the two sides.

The announcement marks one of Somaliland’s firmest administrative breaks yet. Officials framed the decision as a necessary step to protect “security and sovereignty”, arguing that Somalia has repeatedly attempted to assert authority over a territory it does not govern. Mogadishu has not issued a formal response, but past disputes over aviation management and territorial claims suggest this decision will fuel further diplomatic friction.

Airspace control has been a sensitive point for years. Somalia maintains that the entire aviation space falls under its mandate as the internationally recognised government. Somaliland counters that it manages its own airports, security, and local administration, and therefore should control flights and clearances in and out of its territory.

The timing reflects wider regional turbulence, including maritime disputes, political realignments, and growing international interest in the Horn’s security corridors. Analysts say Hargeisa’s latest move signals confidence, driven by strategic partnerships and an expanding foreign presence in the region.

For travellers, the change creates immediate complications. Airlines and regional partners will be forced to adjust routing and entry protocols, while aid agencies warn that shifts in airspace control could affect humanitarian logistics.

As tension between Somaliland and Somalia intensifies, the wider question remains whether fragmented governance in the Horn will evolve toward negotiations, deeper division, or renewed diplomatic pressure from international partners.