BREAKING: Somalia Warns Firms and Individuals Against Illegal Mining, Citing Security and Sovereignty Risks

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 16, 2025 — The Federal Government of Somalia has issued a strong warning to companies and individuals involved in unauthorized mining, saying it is monitoring a rise in illegal mineral exploration and extraction across the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said both Somali and foreign entities have been operating without government approval, in violation of national laws that place all natural resource licensing under the federal government.

The ministry underscored that the Federal Government is the only authority legally empowered to issue permits for mineral exploration and development. It cited the Constitution, natural resource ownership agreements and other legislation as the basis of this exclusive mandate.

Officials say the problem goes beyond regulatory breaches. According to the ministry, illegal mining undermines Somalia’s sovereignty and creates illicit financial flows that could be used to support terrorism, posing broader security concerns for the country and the Horn of Africa.

The government has now ordered all parties engaged in unlicensed mining to stop their operations immediately. Those who defy the directive, the ministry warned, will face legal action under Somali law and relevant international frameworks.

The statement stressed that Somalia’s mineral wealth belongs collectively to its people and that the government will take all necessary steps to protect and manage these resources.