The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Federal Government of Somalia today reiterated its close monitoring of illegal mining activities in parts of the country, which it said were involving both Somali and foreign individuals and companies.
The ministry said that international law and the Federal Constitution of Somalia clearly state that the management, exploration and exploitation of natural resources is the sole responsibility of the Federal Government. Accordingly, the ministry said that anyone engaged in illegal mining has no legal right to do so.
The ministry pointed out that illegal mining not only violates the sovereignty and property of the Somali people, but has also become a source of funding for terrorist acts, which pose a threat to the security of the country and the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
The Ministry urged all groups, individuals and institutions involved in these activities to immediately cease and suspend all their illegal activities. It also stated that the Federal Government of Somalia will take full legal action if this warning is not heeded.
However, the ministry did not name any specific individuals involved in the illegal mining. This comes at a time when the eastern Sanaag region, which is administered by Puntland, is the most targeted area for mining.
Puntland President Said Deni has previously said that they welcome anyone who invests in exploiting the mineral resources in their region.
