Press Release: Ministry of Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter Piracy
Somalilandsun – “According to the Somali Maritime Resource and Security Strategy that was recently agreed upon by the Somali Regional States, Puntland is firmly in full control of its territorial waters”
This was stated by the Puntland Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter Piracy Mr Saeed Mohamed Rageh, in a press statement that the Somalia administrative region’s government released in reaction to reports that Rotterdam-based Atlantic Marine and Offshore has signed a major order with the Somalian government to set up a coast guard operation geared towards combating piracy and to strengthen its, SFG, control over its territorial waters and natural resources.
The press statement signed by Minister Rageh read
Quote – On behalf of the Puntland Government, I want to assure the citizen of our esteemed State of Puntland that our territorial waters are under our full control. No company or foreign state has been authorised by the Puntland Government to Monitor, Patrol, Survey and Protect; the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone); Our Natural Resources; Ports; Fishing activities and Trades among others in our territorial waters.
The recent contract signed on the 30 Government of Somalia, Abdihakin Fiqi and the Dutch Company Atlantic Marine and Offshore Group (witnessed by President of the Federal Government of Somalia) that hands over the power of Somali Nationals to Foreign Company over our territorial waters, marine resources, Ports and Trade is unacceptable, inapplicable and unsuitable in Puntland State.
This agreement clearly undermines the Regional Somali States (Kampala Process Members) efforts of maintaining Somali Sovereignty and control over its territorial waters.
Puntland maintains its sovereignty and the development of our maritime security strategy and maritime resource protection, including the EEZ and Maritime Crimes (Illegal Fishing, Toxic Dumping and Smuggling), is documented in the Somali Maritime Resource and Security Strategy that was recently agreed upon by the Somali Regional States.
We know that this are the cunning ways used to exploit our rich Somali marine resources and Puntland Government will not honour this agreement. Our developments should be aimed at building the capacity of native Somali Human Resource, focusing on the renaissance of our fishing Industry and coastal community development.
The Sovereignty of the Somali people and our resources is not for sale. Puntland will continue to enforce authority in our waters and any acts of trespass will be regarded as criminal offense and a threat to our sovereignty, our security and our resources.
Hon. Saeed Mohamed Rageh,
Minister of Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter Piracy,
Puntland State of Somalia –Unquote
Related Somaliland: “Territorial Waters Firmly Under Control of the Government” –Waran’ade
