MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has closed down one of Aden Adde International Airport terminals used United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) over ‘breach of immigration protocols.’

According to a letter addressed to UN and Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) which provides logistics support to AMISOM on 22 December, Somali foreign ministry informed the agencies the closure of MOVCON terminal ‘until further notice.’

“The Ministry is informing you that the Federal Government of Somalia has announced MOVCON Terminal is closed until further notice to ensure the continuity of the normal services,” the letter read in part.

The ministry said both the UNSOS and AMISOM had allowed travellers with no or incomplete documentation to enter the country in addition to instances where traveler which use unofficial gates the MOVCON terminal which ‘immigration staff are restricted to oversee’.

“There are UN contractors within the Aden Abdulle International Airport who exploit the MOVCON terminals as well as unofficial gates to smuggle uncontrolled commodities,” the letter adds.

The Ministry adds that it decided to close the terminal after unarmed police officers deployed to MOVCOM were sent away.