===================== 19 Mar 19, 2008 - 7:35:52 PM
Press Release
RE: The Law the Puntland Regional Government Announced It Will Present to Parliament
I have issued this Press Release in order to express my position as a Minister and the position of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia and to explain clearly where we stand regarding the issue in Puntland.
It is unacceptable that the Puntland Regional Government which is the backbone of the Transitional Federal Government is intentionally violating the Constitution of the TFG of Somalia, which clearly states the powers relegated to the TFG and to Regional Governments. Those [Constitutional] Powers state that natural resources, such as petroleum, minerals, etc., are considered national property and the TFG is the peoples' caretaker authority; it is within the power and responsibility of the TFG to enact policy and law to govern [natural resources] in order for all the people of Somalia to benefit.
The Constitution of the TFG of Somalia says to uphold and protect international agreements and treaties Somalia signed with foreign nations and companies. Therefore, every step taken by the TFG and Regional Governments towards benefiting from the country's resources must not violate those agreements and treaties.
In conclusion, I ask the officials of the Puntland Regional Government to respect and be responsible for upholding the Transitional Federal Government's laws and to completely stop ongoing activities with respect to enacting laws to govern natural resources, like petroleum, minerals, etc., for such activities are against the laws of the TFG of Somalia.
Signed,
Eng. Mohamoud Ali Salah, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Transitional Federal Government of Somalia
READ: TFG Press Release [in Somali language, PDF format]
Translated by: Garowe Online team
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