Somali Government warns illegal companies operating in Somalia‏

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Federal Government of
Somalia has been closely monitoring the illegal activities of ARC, a
Chinese company. ARC has been involved in the illegal digging and
mining for minerals in the Simodi mountain ranges in the Awdal region
of Somalia. These activities are a violation of Somalia’s territorial
integrity and national sovereignty. These activities are also a threat
and an immediate danger to the fragile but improving political
situation in Somalia
 
ARC’s illegal activities have already caused civil turmoil and
tensions among communities in the region following the company’s
introduction of armed militia to protect its illegally obtained mining
acreage. It has been noted that ARC’s activities have also caused the
large scale displacement of inhabitants in the area and the
destruction of private property. ARC’s activities are very similar to
other companies that have engaged in activities that have caused
environmental degradation, and the illegal disposal of harmful
chemicals without regard to water tables, grazing lands, and
underground aquivors.
 
The Ministry, in order to mitigate the consequences of civil turmoil
and tensions in the community, hereby provide official notice to ARC
to cease and desist immediately from their illegal mining activities
in the Simodi mountain ranges in the Awdal region of Somalia. The
Ministry also provides notice herein that ARC’s activities have
already caused clan tensions and political difficulties in Somalia, a
country just emerging from conflict after 24 years. The Ministry
hereby officially requests that the People’s Republic of China assist
and support the Somali Federal Government’s efforts to stop the
illegal mining activities of Chinese companies. This request is made
on the basis of the  historical close relationship between the two
nations.
 
The Somali Federal Government, represented herein by the Ministry of
Petroleum and Mineral Resources, provides a stern warning to all
companies operating illegally in Somalia on the basis of suspect,
invalid, and illegal agreements and contracts with individuals and
organizations. The Federal Government of Somalia has exclusive
jurisdiction over foreign affairs and by extension agreements with
international companies. These illegal activities, contrary to
industry best practices, have already lead to the extraction and theft
of valuable minerals from Somalia.
 
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources hereby urges ARC to
cease its activities responsibily and immediately, to desist from
further activities, and to leave the country. ARC’s activities are not
only a violation of Somali laws related to the extraction of natural
resources but also a violation of Somalia’s immigration laws whereas
citizens of China are illegally present in Somalia and conducting
activities without work permits.
 
The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources hereby informs ARC and
other companies illegally operating in Somalia that the Federal
Government of Somalia will take a legal action to protect the rights
of Somali citizens and to safeguard the fragile peace in the country.
Federal Government of Somalia is not also responsible for the safety
and security of any individuals or companies operating illegally and
without the government’s knowledge in Somalia.
 
“in addition, the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral resources denounces
the baseless information publicized by some local websites. however,
the Ministry clarifies that this informations is baseless.
 
The meeting between Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu and the Ministries of
the Foreign Affairs and Petroleum & Mineral Resources was only the
issue of ARC, a Chinese company, which resulted a huge local
communities displacement, clan conflicts, looting of natural
resources, violation of international laws, breaching of national
sovereignty and unity of the country, all UN resolutions towards
Somalia and hampering the International Community’s efforts on the
stabilization of Somalia”.
 
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