FinalCall
By Saeed Shabazz -Staff Writer
Monday, Sept 07, 2009

Some analysts claim that Nairobi applied to the UN for an extension of its maritime border, by claiming larger sectors of the continental shelf which would impact on drilling rights for the region's mineral potential.

The press asked Mr. Ould-Abdallah if it was a conflict of interest for the UN to involve itself in assisting the Somalis in engaging the Norwegian government to pay its fees for the filing of the MOA; and if his role in the matter constituted a conflict of interest.

Mr. Ould-Abdallah said that all questions should be posed to the officials in the UN Development Program. To date no one from UNDP has responded to reporters questions; nor have any other high-level officials. The spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon explained to The Final Call that the special envoy had indeed given a sufficient answer.

The government of Norway, through its UN Mission was the only one to answer, saying helping Somalia file its paperwork was something they have done to help several African nations, but refused to say what other African nations they have helped. Norway is the world's seventh largest oil exporting nation in the world.

Gerald Lemelle, executive director of the Washington-based think tank, Africa Action tells The Final Call that what we are witnessing at the UN is the “historic” Western concept on how to have a relationship with Africa after colonialism.

“Nations such as Norway had to figure out a way to maintain control over African resources, so they use Security Council resolutions, and African proxies such as Kenya (reportedly Norway paid $200m to Kenya for the MOA),” he said. “At the heart of Western intervention in Somalia, which has been a geo-political football, is the battle for its oil,” Mr. Lemelle said.

He said that in today's climate of transparency, Western powers are using the UN-created Transitional Federal Government, “a government with no legitimacy” in Somalia to do the bidding of the oil corporations.

The interim government announced back in 2005 it would start offering concessions for oil, gas and mineral rights, not just for exploration but also for marketing. However, the leadership of that government was replaced by the U.S. and UN in 2007.

And the new administration of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed wasted no time in getting down to business by signing a partnership agreement with Kuwait and Indonesia, with Somalia getting a 51 percent interest in the corporation, according to International Oil and Gas News.

Analysts and activists such as Sadia Aden, a Virginia-based human rights advocate and Prof. Abdi Ismail Samitar, a Somali advocate at the Univ. of Minn., say the UN has engaged in leading Western nations in an attempt to control Somali resources. The foreign navies that patrol Somali seas against pirates are really there to exploit the resources of Somalia, mainly its oil reserves and natural gas; and have been given permission to do so by the UN Security Council, Ms. Aden told The Final Call.

“Somalis know that these navies did not come to hunt and prosecute pirates but to divide the Somali seas, and to protect their interests as they hope to divide up our resources—not just in the ocean, but also on land,” Ms. Aden added.

Prof. Samitar told The Final Call that the MOA caused an uproar in Mogadishu; and that the 245-member Somali Parliament voted unanimously against it. “This is not a real government, so they lack the authority to implement or enter into agreements,” the professor insisted.

Prof. Samitar said that the TFG was beholding to Kenya and its Western backers because of a lack of financial resources; and therefore, the interim government lacks the ability to protect the interests of the Somali people.

Oil industry analysts were saying back in the early 1980s there was evidence of a natural trough of oil that extended across the Red Sea from Yemen into Somalia. Before the over-throw of Somali Pres. Siad Barre in 1991, tens of millions had been sunk into oil wells in Somalia, the largest investment by a Texas-based company, CONOCO.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that while Somalia is considered by many experts in the oil industry as being the last frontier for the “Black Gold” in Eastern Africa; there is no creditable evidence of large reserves of oil; however, there is a sizable reserve of natural gas.

A 2004 report by HAN DATA & Information Background: “Strategic Mining & Oil in Somalia” stated there were precious metals such as copper, gold, zinc and silver, including iron ore, bauxite and gypsum in the Horn of Africa nation.

The UN has been hearing from pro-African activist organizations such as Africa Action, according to Mr. Lemelle, on their role in giving away large tracks of land in Africa to the multi-national corporations; and their backing of dubious contracts that give away African resources. “We want to know who authorizes these contracts,” he said.

saba @ 9/8/2009 7:42 PM EST   This a good article, i wasted my 15 minnutes on other subjects; will come back to it later.

ilatali @ 9/8/2009 11:25 AM EST   Sharifow and Abrishaid both signed Kenya deal of water border document, thought our parlimanet rejected :nell and void". Now, we know Norway paid 200 Million dolar to make the docuemnt valid thru the UN, so they can drill oil in our water. Can't trust any deal signed in Nairobi any more, tuugada meesha joogaan oo gacan ku hoorse ku nool Geedi, Jurile, Ade Muse all bastrads are still behind the seen pushing deal, for small change.

nomadic1 @ 9/8/2009 8:52 AM EST  Buun ninkii xado meeshuu ku yeerin lahaa aa la iska rabaa. UN, Kenya, Norway and their friends can perform all the tricks in the world but Somalia being lawless Somalia as it is today will never heed their tricks.

somalipeace10 @ 9/8/2009 8:06 AM EST  It was clear to everyone that the so-called Memorandum of Understanding was Kenya and Norway's making. The Somali group that signed and prepared did not a clue of its contents and implications. Ould-Abdalla is another fa*led African politician assigned to steer another round of f*rce reconciliation conferences, like all his predecessors. When it became clear that the MOD was fre*d and did not serve Somali interest, the so-called TFG led by Sh.Sharif ignored all the advice given and continued with their tre*cherous project.That fact alone indicates that they are not only ign*rant but complicit. The different groups that are fighting in Somalia are all foreign interst driven and do not have Somali interst at heart. Ould-Abdalla is dec*itful as the warl*rds and other dish*nest individuals he is trying to impose on Somalia. It is time for the genuine Somali people to make their voice heard and get rid of these faudgulent groups.

mercano @ 9/8/2009 5:25 AM EST  King maker Walad Hawiye hand picked poor Sharifow for Sharifow's lack of recognizing resources and understanding international laws.  We all know that there is more to these kind of stories as only one side of some affliates are doing the finger pointing and cry baby. Cadde Muuse, Faroolle, Geeddi, Jurille and others also have to be mentioned.  However, if you detain a cow from water to thirst, in the end it will run right through the thorn trees to get to the water.  Shariffow was made a King, al-SharBaab and Gargadoud were armed to their teeth even by uncle Sam through Shariffow's boys, in the end the Shariffow cow ran for the water cash to keep up with the fight.  Well planned, but Allah SWT's plan shall prevail O! My People hold steady fast and ask for heavenly support, then watch and dont forget to be Cabddan Shakuura!!! That is the story of Today's Somalia.