Moment Research & Consultancy Global Somali Diaspora Federalist moves heighten Somalia’s natural resources debate Global Somali Diaspora – Two years have passed since Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He came in to office with a view that federalism in the country needed more debate. The federalism debate revolves around two main pillars: the sharing of political power with the federal government and the sharing of national resources among ‘Federal Member States’. It is the resources part of the equation that is now getting more traction. The Federal Government of Somalia has already warned the regional administrations of Puntland and Somaliland about the exploration deals they have struck with oil companies. Somaliland views itself as an independent country not affected by decisions made in Mogadishu, whereas Puntland considers itself to be part of Somalia but argues that resource-sharing agreements among federal member states have not been finalised. Successive Puntland administrations have argued that the regional administration is entitled to sign agreements with oil companies, and cites the Provisional Constitution. The Provisional Constitution adopted on 2nd August 2012 does not give Puntland or any other regional administration the right to enter into oil exploration agreements with foreign companies. It does however, require the Somali Federal Government to consult member states on resource allocation. The current territorial dispute between Somaliland and Puntland is partly about acquiring or retaining the privilege to sign agreements with foreign oil companies. The resource element of the conflict has been brought to light in a report the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies has published recently. When the Provisional Constitution was being adopted in Mogadishu there was a widespread belief among ‘stakeholders’ that, although the new Somali government would no longer be a transitional one, it woulld not have the right to usurp the privilege of existing regional administrations to enter into agreements with oil prospecting, foreign companies. This argument allayed Puntland’s and to some extent Somaliland’s fears that the new government in Mogadishu would not allow Garowe and Hargeisa to make deals without approval or consultation with Mogadishu. Read More: globalsomalidiaspora.wordpress/2014/09/21/federalist-moves-heighten-somalias-natural-resources-debate/
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 18:26:35 +0000
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