Monday, April 14, 2014
The UK government is offering humanitarian aid and security assistance to Somalia in the hope of a stake in the country's future energy industry, a report said.
Britain is involved in a secret high-stakes dash for oil in Somalia, with the government offering humanitarian aid and security assistance in the hope of a stake in the beleaguered country's future energy industry, The Guardian reported.
Prime Minister David Cameron last week hosted an international conference on Somalia, pledging more aid, financial help and measures to tackle terrorism.
The summit followed a surprise visit by the foreign secretary, William Hague, to Mogadishu, the Somali capital, where he talked about "the beginnings of an opportunity'' to rebuild the country.
It is now revealed that talks are going on between British officials and Somali counterparts over oil reserves that have been explored in the arid north-eastern region of the country.
Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi is minister for international cooperation in Puntland, north-east Somalia - where the first oil is expected to be extracted next month.
"We have spoken to a number of UK officials, some have offered to help us with the future management of oil revenues. They will help us build our capacity to maximise future earnings from the oil industry," he said.
British involvement in the future Somali oil industry would be a boon for the UK economy.