By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Republic of Somaliland is an independent country whose sovereignty emanate from the wishes of 97% of its citizenry.
To this effect the government of Somaliland is the sole body with authority to act on behalf of the country’s interests and any other establishment purporting powers to act on behalf of Somalilanders is fictitious.
This was stated in a press statement released by the Somaliland ministry of petroleum and minerals in reaction to circulating rumours that an oil exploration agreement between the Somalia Federal Government and Spectrum ASA encompasses areas under the jurisdiction of authorities in Hargeisa.
On September 5th at the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu Spectrum ASA a Norwegian firm that designs, acquires and processes seismic data to deliver high quality solutions entered into a Multi-client master co-operation agreement with the federal government of Somalia.
The agreement allows Spectrum to acquire approximately 28,000 km of long offset 2D seismic data offshore south Somalia in order to image subsurface structures. The new acquisition has been specifically designed to complement 20,000 km of existing seismic that was acquired in 2014. Together, these seismic surveys will allow the in-depth study of hydrocarbon prospectivity offshore Somalia, which lies in close proximity to major discoveries on the East African margin. Spectrum will use its global reach to market both data sets and raise industry interest.
While negating the notion that the Spectrum agreement with Somalia has anything to do with Somaliland, a country that has been independent since 1991 despite non recognition internationally the ministry of petroleum and minerals also castigated some local media houses that profuse information for public consummation without authentication
Below are verbatim excerpts of the press statement
Quote -The Republic of Somaliland is not concerned by agreements entered by the Government of Somalia with whomever it wishes.
September 7, 2015
Information circulating to the effect that the Spectrum and Somalia government agreement shall impinge on oil exploration in Somaliland is false and without foundation.
The Republic of Somaliland is as a result of the wishes of a majority of its citizens of whom 97% voted in Favour of Sovereignty and self-rule during the referendum of 2002.
Upon the authority vested by the citizenry it is only the government that can enter into agreements with and issue licenses to foreign firms for oil exploration and minerals prospecting within national boundaries.
To this effect agreements signed by the government in Mogadishu with foreign firms has nothing WHATSOEVER to do with the Republic of Somaliland.
At the same time none shall be allowed to explore oil or prospect for minerals without a valid licence issued by relevant authorities’ within Somaliland
On the other hand it is surprising to note that most local media houses are hyped to exaggeration by any information emanating from Somalia and related to oil exploration thence publish unsubstantiated information.
Finally let it be known to all and sundry that, the republic of Somaliland is always vigilant thus fully aware as pertains to on goings within its land and sea territories of which its armed forces remain on high alert to unequivocally defend against any encroachment-Unquote
Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, Republic of Somaliland- unquote
Somalilandsun takes responsibility for any Errors in translation from Somali to English languages. Read the original Somali language statement
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