MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s federal government on Wednesday called for the immediate and unconditional release of the Sea World vessel, which was seized by Puntland regional forces last Friday while carrying advanced weaponry. Authorities in Mogadishu said the arms were legally destined for a Turkish military academy operating in the capital.
In an official statement, the federal government asserted its constitutional authority to engage with foreign governments and to permit foreign vessels to enter Somali territorial waters. The interception of the ship, it said, was a “clear violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, constitution, and international law,” and described the act as tantamount to “hijacking and piracy.”
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The federal government added that, in addition to the military cargo, the ship was transporting commercial goods belonging to Somali businesspeople, though it did not specify the nature of the merchandise.
Responding to the federal government’s claims, Puntland’s State Minister of the Presidency, Abdifatah Abdinur, defended the seizure, stating that regional authorities have right to confiscate the weapons aboard the ship.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Somalia’s federal government and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.
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