Somali Proverb:

"Abaal nin gala waa la arkay, nin gudase lama arag”. Those who accept a favour are many (have been seen), but those who pay back are none (have not been seen).

On September 16th, 2024 The Federal Republic of Somalia officially joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This historic milestone for Somalia’s economic development will further the commercial extraction of Galmudug State’s substantial uranium reserves. In short, with member in the IAEA, the prerequisite legal framework for Uranium mining can now proceed. Yet, where this positive development leave the United States and in particular the Westinghouse Corporation’s 1970s concessions on the current territory of Galmudug from the defunct and brutal Siad Barre regime?

Key Questions:

1.    Is the Somalia Federal Government and Galmudug legally bound by the US-Based Westinghouse Corporation agreements 40 years ago?

2.    According to James Vigor (2019) study of the major uranium deposits of Somalia, the major uranium sites are located exclusively in the Habr Gedir core clan territory in Galmudug State. The Vigor map shows the Uranium zone stretching from north Ceelbuur District, Dhuusamareeb District, Cadaado District to Gelinsoor District of Galmudug. Therefore, what is the political imperative of uranium extraction for the Habr Gedir clan in Somalia?

3.    How can the Federal Government and Galmudug State come to agreement to proceed with new bids by Turkey mining consortiums?

These three key questions require first an analysis of the legal framework for natural resource revenue sharing between the Federal Government and Member States and the political aspirations of the Habr Gedir clan in Somalia.

Answer to Question #1: The Federal Government Has No Exclusive Legal Constitutional Monopoly over Galmudug’s Natural Resources

On November 6th, 2015, African Energy Newsletter Issue 311 - 06 Nov 2015 reported the following:

"The federal government of Somalia signed a preliminary agreement with the federal member states on 21 October on the sharing of revenue from petroleum and mineral resources. Petroleum and mineral resources minister Mohamed Muktar Ibrahim told the Africa Upstream conference in Cape Town that the government aimed to establish a common vision on ownership, control, and how the state’s share of revenue could be distributed among all Somalis, federally, regionally and locally. In the absence of a central policy, federal states such as Somaliland and Puntland have conducted their own licensing.”

It is clearly visible that the Federal Government of Somalia whether under Hassan Sheikh I and his successor Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo lacked a central policy conducive for natural resource extraction. In light of these constitutional and legal impasse with Member States, in 2023, President Hassan Sheikh’s second term has made some progress in moving toward an negotiated settlement on a tentative profit sharing deal between the Federal Government and Member States. Yet, how does this new profit sharing agreement relate to the Habr Gedir on whose territories in Galmudug hold the uranium wealth?

Answer to Question #2:The Habr Gedir Imperative is to Share Galmudug Wealth

On the positive side, the Habr Gedir clan, the predominant majority of Galmudug’s population, is not seeking to secede from the Federal Republic of Somalia, nor is the Habr Gedir leadership of Galmudug engaged in external agreements with multinational mining corporations.

In fact, Galmudug under the Habr Gedir presidency of President Ahmed Abdi Karie Qoor Qoor is generally unopposed to President Hassan Sheikh’s leadership. President Hassan himself hails from one of the constituent Hawiye clans of Galmudug State. Despite being the majority in Galmudug, the Habr Gedir political imperative has been to work with Federal government for extraction of Galmudug natural resources be it oil and gas or uranium for the benefit of the region and its people.

On the ground, the Habr Gedir have shown an inclusive political spirit in welcoming other Somali clans into political representation in Galmudug’s parliament and power-sharing arrangements with state political positions.

Unfortunately, from my recent discussions with the wide spectrum of Habr Gedir community leaders inside Galmudug State there is an emerging concern regarding whether the Federal government under President Hassan Sheikh or his successor in 2026 will unilaterally award Galmudug uranium concessions. Worse, whether the Federal government will uphold previous illegal concessions given by the criminal and unelected Siad Barre regime to the US-based Westinghouse Corp.

There is strong support for Turkey in Galmudug State stemming from not only the upcoming Oil and Gas exploration by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and its Oruc Reis research ship between the coastal Harardhere and Hobyo districts but also a result of the visible Turkish humanitarian, educational and developmental aid to Galmudug over the years. On the other side, the US government and Westinghouse Corp has yet to prove that they are a friend and partner of Galmudug State’s development.

Answer to Question #3: Avoid Conflict between Galmudug and Federal Government over Uranium

If the Federal Government under President Hassan Sheikh attempts to unilaterally engage in granting uranium concessions in Galmudug territory without the approval of Galmudug State, parliament and the majority Habr Gedir clan who reside in the uranium deposits zone there will be unequivocal damage and conflict in relations.

So far, there is hope that this emerging conflict over uranium can be averted as President Hassan Sheikh has not shown any opposition to the extraction of offshore hydrocarbons in Galmudug. Therefore, the Federal government of Somalia under Hassan Sheikh should collaboratively work with Habr Gedir clan for the uranium extraction in the inland Galmudug State.

By Dr. M. Omar Hashi

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