The government of Somalia’s northeastern Puntland state on Thursday, July 24, contradicted the federal authorities’ assertion that a general cargo ship seized in the Gulf of Aden for alleged illegal entry was carrying commercial goods.
Puntland said its maritime police intercepted the vessel, Sea World, on July 18 after it was found to be “loitering for two days near the Bareda coast of the Ras Asayr region” in northeast Somalia.
It said the force secured both the vessel and its cargo and that an investigation was ongoing to establish the owners.
“The Turkish ambassador to Somalia reached out after reports emerged indicating that the ship’s cargo belonged to the Turkish government. In light of these claims, Puntland authorities decided to bring MV Sea World to the Bosaso port for further inspection,” the regional state said in a statement.
The statement came hours after the Somali federal ministry of information condemned the ship’s seizure and described it as an act of “hijacking and aggression”.
The ministry said the freighter was transporting military equipment to a Turkish-run military base in Mogadishu, known as Camp TurkSom.
“In addition to the military cargo, the vessel was also carrying commercial goods owned by Somali traders,” it added.
Puntland, however, insisted that “the entire cargo aboard MV Sea World consists solely of military equipment and contains no goods of a commercial nature”.
It said it was contacted by Somali traders based in Mogadishu claiming ownership of the cargo and that it was investigating their assertion.
“The Puntland government continues its investigation into the vessel and the rightful ownership of its cargo to ensure that the military equipment does not fall into hands that might threaten Somalia’s security and stability,” it added.
“Puntland welcomes the involvement of both the federal government of Somalia and the government of Turkiye in completing this investigation.”
Struggle for control
According to Vesselfinder.com, a vessel-tracking website, Sea World is a general cargo ship built in 2005 and currently sailing under the flag of Comoros.
Its seizure highlights deep-rooted issues of sovereignty, regional autonomy and control over security and resources in Somalia, which are central to strained ties between the federal government and Puntland.
It underscores the federal government’s struggle to assert control over the fragile Horn of African nation.
The row over the ship’s seizure could escalate tensions, disrupt the country’s fight against armed non-state actors and complicate international partnerships, particularly with Turkiye.
Puntland, a semiautonomous state established in 1998, and the federal government have been at loggerheads for years over a number of issues, including resource-sharing, plans for historic direct elections and changes to the country’s provisional constitution, which was adopted in 2012.
Puntland seized Sea World just days after it accused the federal government of fueling clan unrest in the northern Sanaag region.
The regional state said last year that it was withdrawing its recognition of the federal government over their disagreements.
