Somalia: Somaliland opposition leader slams Multi-Client 2D deal

HARGEISA, Somalia, September 6, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Somaliland’s Justice and Welfare Party [UCID] leader Faisal Ali Warabe has slammed a deal signed by Somalia Federal Government and Multi-Client seismic survey company, spectrum ASA, Garowe Online reports.

Spectrum which holds world’s largest libraries of Multi-Client 2D marine seismic data will acquire approximately 28,000km of seismic data offshore south Somalia, Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced.

Speaking to reporters in Somaliland capital, Hargeisa, Warabe called the agreement ‘illegal’, insisting that Somaliland cannot be part of illicit oil deals.

He accused Somali President and the Prime Minister of losing national interests to foreign companies that want to deplete the country’s marine resources.

“These men [Somalia’s political leadership] only care for money but they don’t serve the interests of Somali people. [Natural] resources are shared among five Somalis and I see [Multi-Client 2D seismic survey deal] as illicit and treason,” he said.

Justice and Welfare Party head added that Somaliand will never agree to let commercial oil exploration companies carry out surveys, and asked Somali parliament to block the passage of agreement.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet. 

GAROWE ONLINE