Oil has been discovered in the Sallahey area of the Marodi-Jeh region, the self-declared republic of Somaliland has announced, according to a statement on Facebook from its ministry of energy and mineral resources.
After a black liquid leaked from a nearby waterwell drilling site, the ministry claimed it had launched scientific investigations, and the findings had supported the oil discovery.
The region’s first verified oil discovery was made here.
The statement added that UK firm Genel Energy would start further oil exploration and production.
The discovery comes two weeks after the Somali federal government warned Genel Energy against oil exploration in Somaliland without authorisation from Mogadishu, saying the firm was undermining its sovereignty.
Somaliland, which declared independence from the south in 1991 and has since been unsuccessfully seeking international recognition, said the statement from Mogadishu was meaningless.