Somaliland has established a new police unit dedicated to protecting the country’s mineral resources and mining sites, as the government seeks to strengthen security, attract foreign investment, and manage the rapid expansion of its extractive industries.
HARGEISA (Somali Report) — Somaliland has established a specialized police unit to protect the country’s natural resources and mining operations, marking a significant step in strengthening security around one of the territory’s fastest-growing economic sectors.
The new Extractives Police Unit (EPU) will operate under the Somaliland Police Force and will be responsible for safeguarding mining sites, protecting natural resources, and maintaining security in areas where mineral exploration and extraction are taking place.
The initiative comes as Somaliland experiences a rapid increase in mining investment while authorities seek to prevent conflicts linked to mineral exploration in several parts of the territory.
The agreement establishing the new unit was signed on 29 July by Interior and Security Minister Abdalle Mohamed Arab and Minister of Energy and Minerals Eng. Ahmed Jama Barre during a ceremony at the Ministry of Interior in Hargeisa.
According to the agreement, the new force will provide dedicated security for mining and petroleum exploration sites while supporting government efforts to improve the management and protection of Somaliland’s natural resources.
Government officials said Somaliland possesses significant mineral potential that requires stronger protection and more effective management as exploration activities continue to expand.
The creation of the specialized unit follows a series of disputes in recent years over mining activities in different parts of Somaliland, where clashes between communities, companies, and security forces have resulted in deaths, injuries, and heightened security concerns.
Mining exploration has expanded rapidly across Somaliland, with both domestic and foreign companies seeking licenses to search for commercially valuable minerals.
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According to data from Somaliland’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals, around 100 mining companies are currently operating under licenses issued during the past six years, making mining one of the fastest-growing investment sectors in the territory.
Official figures show that 303 companies have received investment licenses during that period, with mining firms accounting for roughly one-third of all licensed investors.
The expansion reflects growing international interest in Somaliland’s potential deposits of strategic minerals at a time when global demand is rising for resources used in electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) has made attracting investment into Somaliland’s mining sector a key part of his administration’s economic strategy, arguing that developing the territory’s mineral resources could diversify an economy traditionally dependent on livestock exports, trade, remittances, and private-sector services.
However, analysts have cautioned that stronger institutions, updated geological surveys, transparent licensing procedures, and clear revenue-sharing mechanisms will be essential if the sector is to deliver long-term economic benefits.
Limited geological data, regulatory gaps, and community concerns remain major challenges as exploration expands.
Recent disputes, including protests over mining activities in the Gabiley region, have highlighted the importance of community consultation, environmental protection, and transparent governance.
The establishment of the Extractives Police Unit represents Somaliland’s latest effort to strengthen oversight of its emerging mining industry as competition for Africa’s critical minerals intensifies and international investors increasingly look to new exploration frontiers across the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Khadar Abdi is the Somaliland Correspondent for Somali Report. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments, and regional affairs across Somaliland.
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