MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) have expressed serious concern after two flights carrying advance delegations from Puntland and Jubaland were turned back on Sunday [1 February 2026] as they attempted to travel to Mogadishu for a key national political meeting.
The flights, which departed from Garowe and Kismayo, were ordered to return while still in the air, just minutes before they were due to land at Aden Adde International Airport in the Somali capital.
“Shame that advance teams fr PL & JL could not arrive today in Moga. Whatever the misunderstanding, the 🇪🇺 hopes that all sides will find a solution for this key dialogue to happen, and set a conducive environment for substantive discussions, leading to a way forward on elections,” said EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro in a statement posted on X.
The United Nations office in Somalia also voiced regret over the incident, confirming that the flights were denied landing clearance due to the absence of required authorisations.
“@UNTMIS_ regrets that advance teams from Puntland and Jubaland could not arrive for the national consultative forum scheduled to begin in Mogadishu, as the necessary technical clearances were not granted,” the UN said in a statement.
The UN urged Somali stakeholders to prioritise the agreed dialogue forum in order to reach consensus on elections and other national issues, particularly as the country approaches the end of several constitutional mandates.
It also called for the rapid completion of preparatory work by technical committees and for further efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council to create conditions conducive to dialogue and agreement.
In separate statements, the administrations of Puntland and Jubaland condemned the decision to turn back the flights, describing it as “an action that endangered the safety of the officials and security personnel on board.”
Jubaland authorities further reported that two additional flights carrying civilians from Kismayo were also denied permission to land in Mogadishu and were forced to return.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, speaking after the incident, described the move as a “criminal act”, saying accountability would follow at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, accused the Puntland and Jubaland leadership of attempting to bring excessive security forces and weapons into Mogadishu via the airport.
The two regional administrations rejected the allegation, stating that the passengers consisted only of standard presidential security details and staff from their respective presidential offices.
The incident occurred on 1 February, the date originally scheduled for the national conference on Somalia’s 2026 electoral process, which was expected to take place in Mogadishu.
In the weeks leading up to the meeting, technical committees from the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali Future Council had been working on preparations and the conference agenda.
Observers now view Sunday’s events as a significant new setback to the electoral talks, raising fresh concerns over trust, security guarantees, and the ability of Somalia’s political stakeholders to convene for inclusive national dialogue.