who runs somalia ?

Any comments on this article from the Somaliland Times, Issue 208:

Hargeysa, Somaliland, January 14, 2006 (SL Times) – The Somaliland government issued a strongly worded warning to both an Australian mining company called Range Resources Limited and the administrators of the Majertenia enclave in neighboring Somalia against entering the territories of Somaliland including the Sool and Sanag regions.
The warning came in a statement issued on Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006 by the ministry of Foreign of Affairs of the republic of Somaliland .

The ruler of the neighboring Majertenia region of Puntland, Adde Muse (Mohammud Muse Hersi) concluded a deal for the exploration of oil, gas and minerals with Range Resource in October 2005.

Main features of the agreement were published on January 6, 2006 by Haatuf, our sister Somali publication.

Under the agreement, Range enters into a conditional Heads of Agreement to acquire 50.1% interest in the sole and exclusive rights to all mineral and dydrocarbon exploration and development in Puntland.

But a “contract of work” signed by the government of Puntland grants a smaller company which is called “Consort Private Ltd” (registered in the Maldives islands) exclusive rights to exploit all subsoil resources in “Puntland”.

The agreement promotes Puntland as “the Democratic State of Puntland” and claims that it covers an approximately 212, 500 km2 including Somaliland’s Sool and Sanag regions as well as parts of the Hiran regions in Somalia .

Under the terms of the agreement, Consort advances the government of Puntland $1.5 million dollars payable before or on October 20, 2005. An amount of one million dollars was to be paid to Puntland once all relevant approvals have been obtained.

Another consideration term provided that 17 monthly installments of US$200,000 each commencing on 15 November 2005, be paid to Puntland.

Meanwhile Adde Muse admitted only on last Tuesday that he actually received US$1,500,000 from the Australians. He said the money was used for enlarging and equipping Bosaso’s airport.

The TFG’s premier Geedi initially attacked the agreement concluded between Puntland and Range as null and wid. However he later accepted to issue a cover letter approving the deal allegedly in return for US$500,000 in cash.

The full text of the Somaliland government’s statement regarding the above agreement is as follows:

“We wish to make it known to all concerned that the boundaries of the Republic of Somaliland are those that were established during the Colonial Era as were all the borders of all countries in Africa . During that time, the borders of the Italian Colony of 'La Somalia Italiana' and those of 'British Somaliland Protectorate' were demarcated according to internationally recognized Treaties that became deposited with the United Nations. The Charters of the Organization of African Unity, as well those of the African Union also stipulate the respect of borders of countries on achieving their independence.

It has now come to our attention that on the 18/10/2005, the Regional Administration of Majertenia in North Somalia, has entered into an illegal agreement with Range Resources Limited, which gives this Australian company Exploration Rights for Oil and other resources in areas that are well inside the internationally recognized territory of Somaliland, which include our Regions of Sool and Sanaag. We have also been informed that the President of the Administration of Somalia and his Prime Minister, who have no jurisdiction over Somaliland , have given their support to this illegal agreement.

We therefore wish to warn all foreign companies that have been given these false contracts that they cannot enter Somaliland, nor carry out exploration or mining activities in our country, and if they should do so, will face whatever action that Somaliland deems necessary to protect the integrity of its territory. Any such action may jeopardize the peace and stability of the entire Horn of Africa and may result in the loss or damage of any equipment that these foreign companies have illegally brought into Somaliland .”


The letters from the prime minister and president published by Range Resources may not be valid.
Who actually runs Somalia ?