Sunday October 27, 2024
FILE - Somalia's Federal Minister of Petroleum, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed (left), and Puntland's Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Abdifitah Mohamed Nur (right), amid ongoing tensions over oil exploration rights in Puntland.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Puntland officials have firmly rejected claims by Somalia's Federal Minister of Petroleum, who recently accused the region's leadership of obstructing federal oil exploration initiatives. The dispute has reignited tensions between Puntland and Mogadishu, highlighting the ongoing struggle over resource control and regional autonomy.
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in Puntland, Abdifitah Mohamed Nur, addressed the allegations in an interview with the BBC, calling them "unfounded and misleading." He emphasized Puntland's pioneering role in Somalia's oil exploration efforts, remarking, "Puntland led Somalia's first oil exploration. It's regrettable that accusations like this keep surfacing, only to be retracted later with apologies."
The controversy began following comments made by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni in a parliamentary address. Federal Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed later cited Deni's remarks, accusing him of stalling federal-led oil exploration within Puntland and attempting to bring in a private company to oversee exclusive operations—claims Puntland denies.
Minister Abdirizak stated, "President Deni not only opposed our surveys in Puntland but also insisted on using his own company, demanding signing rights for operations that fall under the federal government's jurisdiction." He added, "We must work for the Somali people as a whole, not to cater to specific regional interests."
In response, Abdifitah clarified that no discussions concerning exclusive oil operations or private contracts have occurred between Puntland and the federal government. He dismissed allegations of secret deals with foreign companies, underscoring that Puntland remains committed to transparent resource-sharing agreements that respect Somalia's unity. "There are no clandestine negotiations here," Abdifitah insisted. "Our interest is in open, fair agreements that serve the collective good."
The disagreement coincides with a new onshore deal with Turkey. An oil survey vessel has recently begun offshore exploration operations off the coast of Galmudug, another Somali region. The project is part of a federal drive to attract foreign investment in Somalia's untapped energy resources, highlighted by the recent release of a national resource map in Mogadishu.
Despite the allegations, Abdifitah reiterated Puntland's support for Somalia's economic progress. "Puntland has never stood in the way of Somalia's development. We welcome every united step that promotes self-reliance and advancement for the nation," he stated, downplaying Puntland's absence from recent resource-sharing talks in Mogadishu.
Puntland's relationship with the Federal Government has been strained since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud took office. The regional administration has boycotted National Consultative Council meetings, citing the federal government's unilateral constitutional changes, which Puntland argues compromise its autonomy and control over local resources.