Somalia expels Chinese firm over alleged illegal mining in the northern state of Awdal

[Admin]

 

 

World Bulletin / News Desk

A Chinese mining company has been ordered out of Somalia for allegedly conducting illegal mining activity and causing "public turmoil," the Somali government announced on Wednesday.

 

"[Chinese mining company] ARC has been involved in the illegal digging and mining for minerals in the Simodi mountain range in Somalia's Awdal region," the government said in a statement.

 

It added: "These activities violate Somalia's territorial integrity and national sovereignty."

 

The statement called on the company to "cease its activities responsibly and immediately."

 

"ARC's activities are not only a violation of Somali laws related to the extraction of natural resources, but also a violation of Somalia's immigration laws, as Chinese nationals are in Somalia illegally where they are conducting activities without work permits," the government asserted.

 

The government went on to say that the Chinese company had caused "civil turmoil and tension" in its area of operation after introducing "an armed militia to protect its illegally obtained mining acreage."

 

It also accused the firm of displacing native inhabitants, destroying private property, and harming the local environment.

 

Somalia's Awdal region is rich in minerals and petroleum and has therefore attracted several international mining firms. Some of these companies, however, are said to be operating on invalid agreements and contracts.

 

Somali Foreign Minister Abdirahman Duale has already met with Chinese Ambassador Wei Hongtiang to discuss the issue.

 

Northern Somalia contains numerous deposits of gemstones, natural gas, uranium, tin, iron and petroleum.

 

Source: http://www.worldbulletin.net/

 

http://www.somaliaonline.com/somalia-ousts-chinese-firm-over-alleged-illegal-mining-in-the-northern-state-of-awdal/

[Axmed1508736699]

They should be killed, together with the Soomaalidiid mooryaans send from hargeisa.

[Samatar Rooble]

Any Admin here I think Axmed should be banned. furthermore the Chinese company is still drilling and this is all lip-service.

[Axmed1508736699]

Samatar, we are not in maamulka somalidiidland

[Waryaa Heedheh]

I agree with you on this company operating illegally, but what about all the European companies that are also operating illegally, while bribing the government. The fact of the matter is our government is still not a representative government with grass roots voting, and will continue to be taken advantage of as long as it is not able to tie the country together. Did you know that just to run for president you need over $10,000 dollars; this means you basically have to be in someones pocket in order to run.

 

The fact of the matter is we have to give them something worth joining, will a girl want to marry a homeless man with tattered cloths the answer is no. Furthermore we don't need conflict with our brothers in north western Somalia, when our people are starving; over 200,000 people died of starvation and thirst in 2011 alone why not keep our focus on that. If you want to preserve the unity of our country and help the starving people.

 

This can only happen if every territory is allowed to form it's own semi autonomous state with police and state guard. There is no trust between the clans, I use this instead of the word tribe, because we Somali are all one tribe. We have realize that we can only succeed if we give each area it's own self governing authority all under a relatively weak central government, at least until trust can be rebuilt.

 

The fact that we made a tribe based government was the worst idea anyone could have had it should have been based on electoral zones made up of the previously defined districts, so that no one would complain. After voting if these districts formed up unofficial/semi-official unions based on tribe no one would complain, as long us they upheld the constitution of the country, and treated minority clan members with dignity and equality.

[Holac]

Galbeedi, what is the latest on this company's activities? Has it shut down its operations?