MOGADISHU (SD) – A statement from the Office of Somalia’s Prime Minister stated that the agreement signed by the Minister of Petroleum was in violation of the law and that the government would take legal action against it.

“The alleged agreement signed by the Minister of Petroleum regarding Somalia’s oil is illegal and did not go through legal channels and therefore nullified.” said the released statement.

Somalia’s oil minister Eng. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed posted a statement on Twitter announcing the deal, saying that the President Farmajo knew about the agreement.

The Minister of Petroleum said that the agreement started in 2013, with President Hassan Sheikh’s government, and was finalizing the agreement.

The Minister of Petroleum also gave details about the oil exploration sites saying that they are located in Galmudug, South West and Jubbaland states.

“President Farmajo and I have been working together for a long time on this agreement. In the terms of the Petroleum Law, the companies we have contracted to come to Mogadishu, the President has been working with me on this. ” the Minister told the VOA.

Although the Minister of Petroleum said that President Farmajo was aware of the agreement, a statement from the Presidency denied that Farmajo was aware of the agreement.

“The Presidency of the Federal Republic of Somalia declares that the agreement signed by the Minister of Petroleum and Minerals has not been consulted with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.” an statement from Villa Somalia said.

READ THE AGREEMENT BELOW