The Somali government has accused the Puntland administration of kidnapping and violating the law regarding the recently seized SEA WORLD ship off the coast of Puntland, which was carrying weapons and military vehicles.
The government said the ship was bound for the TURKSOM military training center, in accordance with defense cooperation agreements between Somalia and the Turkish government. The government also said it was carrying commercial goods belonging to Somali businessmen.
A statement from the Somali Ministry of Information said the seizure of the ship was a violation of the country’s constitution and a violation of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
The government demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the SEA WORLD ship, as it said it was carrying military equipment that was essential to the country’s overall security. It also warned the Puntland administration against continuing illegal operations off the coast, calling on it to work with the central government to ensure the safety of ships operating in Somali waters.
It said the government was taking legal measures to prevent coastal areas that serve as a haven for piracy, in order to protect ships that legally travel to Somali waters.
This is the first time the Somali government has spoken about the ship in a week. It comes as Puntland is conducting an investigation into the ship and its cargo.
Puntland recently reported that the arms ship had been illegally in the waters off the coast of Bareeda for two days, prompting an immediate response.
Puntland said the ship had been in an area where there had been recent fighting with the international terrorist group ISIS, which it said raised concerns about the ship’s true purpose.
