Somalia accuses Norwegian oil explorer DNO of destabilising country

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Norwegian oil company DNO and other small explorers are destabilising Somalia, the African country's petroleum ministry said on Wednesday, warning it may lodge complaints against these firms to the United Nations Security Council.

News Keydmedia Online
4 September 2014

DNO has been prospecting for oil in Somaliland, a break-away territory of Somalia. The company did not respond to telephone and email requests for comment but in July a senior official said DNO would not engage in any activities that threaten peace in Somaliland. 

Somalia has been riven by conflict for more than two decades as rival warlords and Islamist militants have fought for control of the Horn of Africa country. 

The Somali Petroleum ministry said companies signing overlapping oil contracts and striking deals with regional governments were "adding fire to conflicts".  

"These small companies are destabilising the country and destroying the international community