Northeastern State rejects extension of hydrocarbon authorization deadlines
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Northeastern State regional government has categorically rejected an extension of the authorization deadlines for hydrocarbons, which was issued by the Somali Petroleum Authority [SPA] who is domiciled in Mogadishu.
Over the past two years, the quest for control over mineral resources has intensified in Somalia, with the federal government and member states accusing each other of “mind games” as Somalia’s quest to harness the potential. tanker drags on.
The notice of extension of the submission date was issued by the SPA on June 29, 2021, but the federal states were not notified in advance. Federal member states have previously accused the FGS of a plot to control mineral resources contrary to the country’s constitution.
In a statement signed by Northeastern State’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ahmed Mohamed, the northern state raised a number of issues which it asked to be resolved quickly for the sake of peace.
“Within the Somali Petroleum Authority, the Northeastern State government has no official representative [SPA]. We never supported the creation of this disputed authority / agency, ”the protest statement read.
“The Northeastern State government does not recognize all SPA agreements and opinions. The FGS lost its constitutional validity and legitimacy in February 2021. As a result, the current interim federal government does not have the legal authority to sign any sort international agreements, ”he added. Lily.
The Northeastern State government is now advising oil companies interested in the Somali hydrocarbon license that they must wait until a new president is elected and a true national government has been put in place before applying for the license.
The next elected government, the statement added, will have the right and power, according to the national constitution, to draft a consensual agreement on national procedures for the management, development and sharing of resources, which will be ratified by all federal member states. .
Somalia is due to run in the July 25 elections and presidential elections are scheduled for October 10. Current President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo whose term expired in February is seeking to defend his seat and in the process he has been accused of cutting oil deals to fund his campaigns.
It is not only Northeastern State that has raised issues of sharing mineral resources between FGS and FMS. The state of Jubaland has often accused Mogadishu of making deals to the detriment of federal states.
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