Petroleum Minister summoned by AG over oil deal

The Somali Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed has been summoned by the Attorney General, Dr. Suleiman Mohamed Mohamud.

The minister will be appearing at the AG’s office next Monday, to give detailed account of the recent oil exploration agreement he sealed with a US-based firm, Coastline Exploration Limited.

The Coastline Exploration Limited CEO has defended the agreement, saying it went through all legal processes as the deal will give the company rights to explore 7 offshore blocks.

Somalia’s President alongside the country’s PM swiftly reversed an oil exploration deal signed with a US company by a minister Hours After It Was Signed.They both rejected the oil exploration deal inked as illegal and unacceptable.

Ahmed said in a statement that the deal was “a huge moment” for the people of Somalia.
In a statement, the office of President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said the deal was nullified.

The presidential palace Villa Somalia tweeted that “it contravenes Presidential Decree 7/8/2021 which bans the inking of deals during elections so as to protect public resources from exploitation during elections.”