Puntland authority in Somalia has officially banned Turkish Company SOMTURK from conducting any fishing activities, coastal security operations or any related tasks within its territorial waters.
Puntland Presidency released a statement, asserting that its decision falls within the scope of its full constitutional rights to manage its natural resources.
The statement highlighted that maritime resources and the so-called “blue economy” along Puntland’s 1,600 Kilometer coastline on the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden are the exclusive property of the people of Puntland.
The statement cited Article 54 of the state constitutional as the basis for this assertion.
Puntland authority went further in challenging the legitimacy of foreign interventions, issuing a direct warning to the Somali Federal Government and other member states.
It also cautioned international partners against interfering in the state’s land or maritime affairs.
Furthermore, it clarified that any agreements concluded without consulting Puntland authority are null and void and have no legal effect.
