IMPERIALISM STIRS CONFLICT IN NORTH SOMALIA

British Tony Hayward makes a deal for Genel Oil in Puntland On Monday the 5th of November 2012, Somaliland forces mounted an offensive [1] against Khatumo state forces based in Hudun town. Hudun[2] town is situated in the western parts of Sool province, in what was a relatively peaceful area of Northern Somalia. Pro Somaliland media outlets reported [3] that “the skirmishes” were the result of elements who were trying to intimidate voters in the “local elections [4]” that was held in Somaliland. However the offensive launched by Somaliland on the 5th of November proved to be just the start of what would be a prolonged offensive campaign waged by Somaliland on Khatumo State forces based in Hudun town. Repeated [5] clashes followed on the 28th of November, the 1st, 31st of December, the 23th, 24th of January, the 1st, 13th of February 2013, with the most recent one being on the 8th of March. The offensive on the 8th of March followed the press release [6] by Jacka resources on 6th March of large structural petroleum prospects in North Somalia. In three months’ time Somaliland attacked Hudun a total of nine times. Sources close to Somaliland have confirmed Somaliland is planning a new major offensive. In spite of Somaliland’s continued offensive, Khatumo remains in firm control of Hudun town. Illegitimate Oil Deals Prior to the start of its offensive on the 5th of November, Somaliland signed a deal [7] on the 30th of October 2012 with Genel Energy Plc to drill two wells for Oil in Northwestern Somalia, on two blocks assigned by Somaliland. Soon after the deal Somaliland militia headed towards Hudun and attacked the town. Hudun town is situated on the Nugaal block [8], one of the blocks to be drilled for oil. The Nugaal block is a stretch of land situated in the regions of Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (Buhoodle town) in short the SSC [9] regions, and to a lesser extend Nugaal region. The Nugaal block has been sold [10] to oil companies by both Somaliland and Puntland. Somaliland has sold the land to Genel Energy led by Tony Hayward, the former BP CEO, who headed BP during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. Puntland has sold the land to Horn Petroleum. However both entities do not control or have minimal control of the Nugaal Block, with the later having no physical presence at all in the SSC region. There are also claims being made by large international oil companies including Royal Dutch Shell [11], who possess old oil exploration licenses granted by the former Somali government of Major General Mohamed Siad Barre. The SSC region is not only rich in Oil but also has large reserves of Tin, Iron Ore, Zircominium, Copper, Cobalt and Chromium. The Nugaal Block is largely controlled [12] by Khatumo State and cannot be sold to any foreign company without the consent of Khatumo State, that represents the aspirations of the local population. Investors in companies who claim to have bought the rights to explore Sool, Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) from either Somaliland or Puntland should be informed about the facts on the ground, and the conflict that these oil deals have caused. Any funds disbursed to these two entities for drilling rights on the Nugaal block can be considered as an squandered investment and a lack of due diligence on the part of these companies.