MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, H.E. Daahir Shire Mohamed, has issued a firm warning to individuals and companies illegally tapping into the country’s mineral wealth.
Speaking at a press conference focused on protecting national resources, the minister raised alarm over a growing wave of uncontrolled mining activities across several regions. He revealed that the ministry has gathered credible reports identifying certain groups bypassing government regulations to exploit Somalia’s minerals—activities that are not only illegal but also deeply damaging to the environment and the nation’s economy.
“Some individuals and companies are unlawfully extracting minerals in different parts of the country. We want to be clear: strict legal action will be taken against anyone involved in these unauthorized operations,” the minister said.
He emphasized that Somalia’s natural resources belong to the public and are governed under the country’s constitutional framework, which is designed to ensure sustainable development and national prosperity. Any extraction carried out without proper authorization, he stressed, is a direct violation of Somali law and national sovereignty.
To confront the issue, the ministry is working closely with security agencies to identify offenders and hold them accountable. This crackdown is part of a broader government effort to bring order to the mining sector, attract responsible international investment, and ensure that profits from natural resources uplift Somali communities instead of flowing into the hands of criminal networks.
Mohamed concluded by urging local communities to play an active role in reporting suspicious mining activities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s natural heritage from exploitation and abuse.
