MOGADISHU (SD) – An official from the Ministry of Commerce tonight stopped the owner of Asli Maydi from giving an interview to a media outlet that he said was foreign.

It is not known why the ministry stopped the interview, but Barkhad told local media in hasty arranged press conference that he did not know who was interviewing him or how they got his contact info.

Frankincense farmers in Somaliland and Puntland have repeatedly complained to the courts about not being paid for their crops.

According to sources, the investors provided funding to Asli Maydi to implement developmental projects in the areas the farmers reside.

The journalists have been in Sanaag region for some time and have visited some of the communities that grow Frankincense and inspected the project sites.

Barkhad Jibril Hassan could not provide clear answers about projects funded by investors, which were never completed.

doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation previously announced plans to implement development projects in rural Somaliland, including a hospital and school.

Officials from the Somaliland Ministry of Commerce are expected to address the much talked about issue soon.