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| Africa Horn |
| Norwegian Oil Company to pull out of Somaliland |
| 2014-08-14 |
| HARGEYSA, Somaliland -- Norwegian Oil and Gas Company, DNO that struck Production Sharing Agreement with Somaliland’s separatist administration in April 2012 is planning to pull out of the region due to security threats, Garowe Online reports. According to multiple independent sources, the decision by high-ranking DNO officials came after armed clan militia ambushed exploration team near Sool region town of Hudur on Tuesday afternoon. No fatalities were reported and the expatriates escaped unharmed, sources confirmed. Garowe Online correspondent in Somaliland capital of Hargeisa says, the oil exploration team who were set to survey 12 square kilometers covering block SL18 returned to the capital to depart for their respective countries. Somaliland government reportedly gave undisclosed amount of money to local clan elders but the clan militiamen were not pre-informed about the secret deal, GO learned. UN monitors warned of the consequence of Somaliland’s oil pursuit. The breakaway region set up oil protection unit and stepped up its involvement in the disputed regions of Sool and sanaag. |
| Posted by:Steve White |