MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – A troubling pattern of alleged misconduct at Mogadishu’s airport has cast a shadow over Turkish Airlines’ operations in Somalia, as a senior airline manager is accused of repeatedly humiliating Somali passengers. The official, identified only as Turhan, has reportedly exercised his authority in ways that have left travelers stranded, financially disadvantaged, and publicly shamed.
According to multiple sources, the manager has allegedly wielded disproportionate authority over passengers, denying them boarding, arbitrarily detaining them, and refusing to issue replacement tickets, creating financial and psychological distress. Eyewitnesses say his actions appear targeted almost exclusively at Somali nationals.
A high-profile incident involved Abdi Addow, a social media activist, and Abdifatah Faisal Hussein, a senior official with the National Electoral Commission. After completing standard pre-boarding procedures, both men were reportedly stopped at the gate. Passengers claim Turhan refused their boarding and dismissed airport security and officials when they intervened, only allowing passage after repeated appeals.
“As we joined the queue at boarding time, he denied us passage. ‘Return to where you came from,’ he said, before slamming the door in our faces,” Addow said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
He described the manager’s authority as unchecked. “I don’t know where he gets this extra power from. He behaves abusively and excessively toward Somalis. There is nowhere to file a complaint against him, and no one to stop him,” Addow said.
Reports suggest that this pattern of behavior is not isolated. One young Somali traveler from Sweden was reportedly detained without explanation and denied any compensation or alternative travel arrangements.
“Two days ago, a young man from Sweden was stopped from boarding a flight and taken into custody. He was not offered a replacement ticket. Should he buy a new one?” Addow added.
He posed further questions: “To whom can people complain about this man? Who should investigate these issues? Are we in a shadow colony, or is this a problem limited to a single individual abusing his authority?”
The situation has provoked outrage among Somali citizens, who see these incidents as emblematic of deeper systemic abuses. Observers point to a troubling dynamic in which airline staff appear to operate with near-absolute power, undermining the authority of airport security and local officials. Victims of these alleged practices are left with limited recourse, raising pressing questions about accountability and oversight.
Another recent case was described by a content creator known as “Somali Gamer,” who said he was dragged from the boarding stairs by Turhan. He claimed the man wore no uniform or official identification.
Turkish Airlines’ operations in Mogadishu, a crucial international hub for the Horn of Africa, have long been a lifeline for Somali travelers. However, these recent reports suggest that passengers may be forced to choose between paying for travel and enduring public humiliation, an unacceptable compromise for many.
In response to the ordeal, Addow has called for a boycott. “I will never board Turkish Airlines again until this man is removed, and I warn Somalis against exchanging their money for humiliation,” he said.
Somali authorities, though aware of these incidents, have reportedly been unable to compel the airline or its staff to act within acceptable standards of conduct. Questions remain regarding the broader implications for human rights, anti-discrimination policies, and corporate responsibility in international aviation.
Passengers and activists now demand urgent investigation into the alleged abuse, as well as immediate remedial measures to prevent further mistreatment. The airline faces mounting criticism, as Somali citizens increasingly share their experiences online, highlighting the scale of what some are calling “a campaign of humiliation against Somali travelers.”
The unfolding situation exposes a striking imbalance of power and accountability at Mogadishu airport, raising uncomfortable questions about oversight, corporate governance, and the rights of travelers in one of East Africa’s busiest aviation corridors.
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