Somalia: Puntland Accuses Foreign Powers of Exploiting Marine Resources Under Piracy Cover

GARACAD, Somalia — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has accused foreign countries of using the resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s coast as a pretext to deploy forces in Puntland waters and exploit the region’s marine resources.

Speaking in the coastal town of Garacad, Deni said Puntland would not accept foreign counter-piracy operations being used to justify a military presence along its coastline.

He alleged that foreign powers were employing different methods to gain access to Puntland’s natural resources while presenting their activities as efforts to combat piracy.

“The intention is to extract our resources through deploying forces to our coast under the guise that Puntland has failed to defend itself from piracy,” Deni said.

The Puntland leader also warned against civilian casualties during international counter-piracy operations, saying local communities could not accept civilians being killed in the name of combating piracy.

Deni insisted that Puntland has the capacity to tackle piracy without the intervention of foreign military forces.

He also pointed to previous international naval operations off Somalia’s coast, alleging that the country’s marine resources were depleted during periods when foreign forces were operating in Somali waters.

The president called on Puntland residents and the international community to support efforts to combat piracy while ensuring that the region’s natural resources remain protected.

His remarks come amid renewed concerns over piracy off Somalia’s coast, following a series of vessel hijackings and hostage-taking incidents in recent months.

Puntland has previously accused Somalia’s federal government of contributing to conditions that have allowed piracy to resurface. Mogadishu has rejected accusations that it is responsible for the renewed attacks.

Piracy off Somalia’s coastline had declined sharply after years of international naval patrols, stronger security measures aboard commercial ships and cooperation with Somali authorities. But attacks have increased again in recent months, raising concerns among shipping companies and maritime security organisations.

Reports indicate that more than 90 crew members have been taken hostage in piracy-related incidents this year, underscoring the scale of the renewed threat.

At least four commercial vessels have reportedly been hijacked off the Somali coast in recent months. The vessels named in reports include the MT Honour 25, which pirates have allegedly used as a mother ship to facilitate attacks on other vessels, as well as the Eureka Asana, MV Lutuf and Seamull.

The alleged use of a hijacked vessel as a mother ship has raised concerns that pirate groups could be developing more sophisticated methods to operate farther from Somalia’s shoreline.

Puntland authorities have repeatedly called for greater local involvement in maritime security, arguing that Somali forces are better positioned to protect coastal communities and natural resources.

Deni’s latest comments also reflect wider tensions over control of Somalia’s waters and offshore resources, as Puntland seeks greater authority over security and economic activities along its coastline.

Somalia has a long coastline overlooking some of the world's busiest shipping routes, making its waters strategically important for international trade as well as potentially valuable for fisheries, hydrocarbons and other marine resources.

International efforts to combat piracy have historically involved naval forces from several countries, but Deni’s comments highlight Puntland’s concerns that foreign security operations could extend beyond their stated counter-piracy objectives.

The renewed piracy threat has placed Somalia’s coastal authorities under pressure to demonstrate that they can protect commercial shipping while preventing illegal exploitation of marine resources.

Deni urged the public and international partners to support measures against piracy, while stressing that protecting Puntland’s resources should remain a central priority.

GAROWE ONLINE