After 41 years of bad blood, direct flights between Ethiopia and Somalia resume

Nduta Waweru November 09, 2018
Photo: Twitter

For 41 years, there has not been a direct flight between Somalia and Ethiopia. But history is already changing.

Early Friday, the first flight from Addis Ababa landed in Mogadishu. Aboard the flight were 48 passengers who celebrated upon landing.

Flights between the two countries stopped after the 1977 war over the Ogaden region.

Plans to resume the flights were discussed as part of improving relationships between the two nations following a meeting between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in June 2018.

Ethiopian Airlines is now expected to operate daily flights between the two capitals, according to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This would be the second historic flight in the region after Ethiopia resumed flights to Eritrea since the 1998-2000 war.

The flights are expected to not only ease travel between the two countries but also help business as well as spur commercial activities.

Here’s how people have reacted to the news.

Last Edited by:Ismail Akwei Updated: November 9, 2018

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