Kenya suspends all flights to and from Somalia starting on Tuesday ; in a notice to airmen, Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) says only medics and humanitarian deliveries allowed.
In the notice, Kenya did not give any reason for the action.
The ban comes a day after Somalia government has issued a statement to the effect that all Miraa flights remain suspended until further notice and that any entry of the herbs without the permission of the relevant regulatory authority will be considered an act of violation of its airspace.
Few days ago, Somalia restored its diplomatic relations with Kenya after Qatar brokered a breakthrough through Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani after five months of cutting their diplomatic relations.
Kenya on its part acknowledged the development of normalising relations through the foreign affairs ministry and said it look forward to furthering restoring relations by Somalia authorities.
This new interesting development is seen by analysts as a reaction to the ban by Somalia officials to have Miraa flights from Kenya remain prohibited from entering its airspace.
Yesterday, Footages from Nairobi’s Wilson airport had shown what seemed to be preparations by Miraa dealers to have the herbs imported shortly before Somalia authorities issued statement a strong warning stating the government has not changed its position on the ban of the commodity. The development put uncertainty on efforts put on the preparations.
Mustaqbal Media
