By Hassan Adan

Somalia’s Puntland State has declared that all agreements signed by the Federal Government involving the administration, investment and exploitation of natural resources within Puntland State are unconstitutional, in a move that further deepens the long-running dispute between Garowe and Mogadishu over federal powers and ownership of natural resources.

In a press statement released yesterday , the Puntland’s Regional Government accused the Federal Government of exceeding its constitutional authority by entering into agreements affecting Puntland’s land, territorial waters and natural resources without the participation or consent of the regional administration.

“The Puntland Government informs the Federal Government of Somalia that all agreements relating to the administration, management, investment and utilization of Puntland’s natural resources, land and territorial waters are ‘unconstitutional” and therefore ‘invalid.”

The regional administration said the Federal Government has no legal mandate to sign agreements concerning Puntland’s resources until Somalia completes and agrees upon a final federal constitutional framework.

Puntland argued that the management of natural resources is protected under both Somalia’s Provisional Constitution and Puntland’s own Constitution.

The statement specifically cited Articles 44, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 142 of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution (2012), together with Articles 4 and 54 of the Puntland Constitution, as the legal basis for its position.

According to Puntland State, these constitutional provisions require cooperation and consultation between the Federal Government and Federal Member States on issues involving natural resources, territorial administration and resource-sharing.

The regional government also stressed that Puntland has more than 1,600 kilometres of coastline stretching along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean and maintained that the natural resources found within its territory and maritime zones constitutionally belong to the people of Puntland.

The statement also warned international investors, foreign governments and energy companies against signing agreements through Mogadishu that concern Puntland.

“No foreign government or company should enter into agreements concerning investment, exploration or management of Puntland’s territory or waters without the official approval of the Puntland State Government.” The statement added.

Puntland specifically referred to the SOMTURK Agreement, saying any Turkish-backed exploration, drilling or maritime project affecting Puntland cannot proceed without its formal authorization.

This latest Disputes comes as Somalia and Türkiye continue implementing their hydrocarbon cooperation agreement signed in 2024.

Following months of offshore seismic surveys conducted by the Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis, Türkiye recently deployed its deep-water drilling ship Çağrı Bey to Somali waters to begin the country’s first offshore exploratory oil drilling campaign.

The vessel is currently drilling the Curad-1 offshore well, marking Somalia’s first deep-water exploration drilling project.

The Federal Government has described the partnership with Türkiye as a major milestone in unlocking Somalia’s offshore oil and gas potential and attracting international investment into the country’s energy sector.

Puntland state, however, maintains that any exploration involving waters under its jurisdiction requires the participation and approval of the regional government.

The latest dispute forms part of a broader constitutional standoff that has strained relations between Puntland and Mogadishu since March 2024.

Puntland state suspended its recognition of the Federal Government following constitutional amendments approved by Somalia’s Federal Parliament, arguing that the changes were adopted without broad national consensus.

Since then, the regional administration has maintained that it will independently exercise powers granted under its regional constitution until an agreed federal constitutional settlement is reached.

Control of natural resources, revenue sharing and maritime jurisdiction remains one of the most contentious issues between Somalia’s Federal Government and its Federal Member States.

According to Political observers in somalia say the latest declaration could further complicate Somalia’s efforts to attract international investment into its emerging petroleum sector, particularly as offshore drilling enters a new phase with Turkish support.

The Federal Government of Somalia had not publicly responded to Puntland’s latest statement by the time filing this story.