Somaliland:Air Arabia announces Somaliland Passport Holders can apply their Visa to UAE

April 26, 2018

Horndiplomat- The Air Arabia officially announced Somaliland Passport Holders can apply their Visa to UAE through Air Arabia Office in Hargeisa.

According to a Facebook post of Air Arabia office in Hargeisa that says the Airline officially announced the Somaliland passport holders can apply their Visa to UAE.

“We are pleased to announce that we are now issuing UAE Visas for Somaliland Passport holders.Please contact our sales office at Deero Mall Hargeisa for more information.”Air Arabia So.

Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based carrier, announced that it is adding Hargeisa as its latest African destination, with flights to the Somaliland city starting from July 4, 2017.

On April 23, the UAE Ministry of Interior has started to accept VISA’s from Somaliland citizens by using “The Republic of Somaliland” designation in the VISA process.

Readmore: UAE Removes Somalia from Online VISA applications and replaces the Republic of Somaliland

The UAE Interior Ministry also Removes Somalia from its online systems and replaces it with the Republic of Somaliland amid improving relations with Somaliland regarding the DP World Investment and others.

Somaliland & UAE Ties

Somaliland signed an agreement last year with one of the world’s largest port operators, DP World, to operate its Port of Berbera. The agreement with DP World, which is majority-owned by the Dubai government in the UAE, was signed the same year that the UAE’s plans to build a naval base in Berbera were revealed.

It’s the latest example of how DP World’s business dealings in East Africa increasingly mirror the UAE’s military expansion in the region.

The UAE, which is also reportedly building up a long-term military presence in Eritrea, is not the only country with troops in East Africa. Turkey opened a military base in Somalia last year. Neighbouring Djibouti is home to a U.S. base that launches drone missions over Somalia and Yemen, as well as a Chinese military base and Japan’s first overseas base since World War II.

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Readmore: UAE Starts accepting Somaliland Passport, The first person travels today

The UAE has invited Somaliland officials for state visits and is building a military base there, suggesting that the country is moving toward recognizing Somaliland’s independence.

READMORE:UAE Imposing new immigration restriction on Somalis

Somaliland declared its independence nearly three decades ago from Somalia, but despite having its own currency, parliament, military and legal system The territory has been experiencing stability and economic prosperity and has been influential in the fight against piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa.