Somalia rejects Genel Energy's "illegal claim" to oil permits in Somaliland

oil

An oil rig. Hydrocarbon discoveries in East Africa has stoked investor interest. PHOTO | NMG

Somalia rejected on Wednesday what it called an "illegal claim" by Genel Energy to oil exploration and exploitation rights in the country's northern breakaway region of Somaliland, the country's oil ministry said.

Somaliland claimed independence from Somalia in 1991 and has been largely peaceful while the rest of the country has grappled with three decades of civil war, but its leadership has failed to gain widespread international recognition.