Mogadishu – The Somali Civil Aviation Authority has announced the one-day closure of Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Thursday, December 25, 2025, to facilitate the conduct of local council elections in the capital.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the authority informed the public and airlines that no inbound or outbound flights will operate during the closure period.

The authority explained that the temporary shutdown is part of security measures and technical preparations linked to the elections, aimed at ensuring public safety and the smooth conduct of the electoral process.

Passengers and airlines have been advised to review flight schedules and avoid planning travel on the day of the closure. The authority confirmed that airport operations will resume normally once election-related restrictions are lifted and urged travelers to follow official announcements for updates.

Meanwhile, Somali security agencies have confirmed that approximately 10,000 police officers have been placed on high alert to secure the local council elections scheduled for December 25 in Mogadishu.

Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail “Fartaag” stated that the Somali Police Force has finalized comprehensive security plans to ensure the elections are conducted peacefully, safely, and with integrity.

From a policy perspective, the airport closure reflects the high security priority placed on Somalia’s first direct local elections in decades, highlighting the operational trade-offs required to safeguard electoral processes in high-risk urban environments.