The regional administration of Puntland and the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia [TFGS] this morning signed an agreement at the [Puntland] presidency [in Garoowe].
The Speaker of parliament signed on behalf of the government the agreement that consists of five provisions and the regional administration of Puntland was signed for by the regions leader, Gen Ade Muse Hirsi.
The aim of the agreement follows a rift that has recently surfaced between the TFGS and regional administration when the prime minister of the TFGS Ali Muhammad Gedi regarding the mining of minerals and the exploration of oil that the regional administration had gone into a deal with foreign companies.
The provisions of the agreement is as follows:
1. The regional administration of Puntland has withdrawn its statement of lacking confidence in the prime minister of the TFGS and that they now have confidence in the premier.
2. That the mining project will continue as planned, the mining of minerals and the exploration of oil in Puntland and to respect agreements reached between the two sides on these issues. The oil exploration and mining of minerals will not be postponed because one crop and will be implemented in phases.
3. The two sides will start negotiations on sharing of the wealth before the production of the oil or minerals.
4. To prepare legislation on mining, production, adminstration and sharing of the resources both in land and sea including minerals, oil and others and the legislation to be jointly discussed.
5. The two sides to create cooperation and consultation and coordinate communication between the two in the official manner.
This is the second time an agreement of this kind has been signed by the TFGS and the Puntland administration. Source: Radio Midnimo, Boosaaso, in Somali 1030 gmt 30 May 06
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