by Abukar Osman
📍 Washington, D.C. – April 15, 2025
Ambassador Daahir Hassan, Somalia’s top diplomat in the United States, officially announced that Somalia is now fully open to international oil exploration and drilling, highlighting the Nugaal Valley as a particularly rich and promising region.
The ambassador called on U.S. energy companies to return and invest in Somalia’s SSC-Khaatumo region, which he described as an untapped opportunity for long-term economic benefit.
This announcement follows the historic visit of Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Laascaanood on April 12, where he formally declared SSC-Khaatumo as an official Federal Member State of Somalia.
Ambassador Daahir further noted that the force majeure status — which had previously halted northern Somalia’s oil activities due to instability — has been lifted, paving the way for operations to resume.
These developments are widely seen as a turning point in:
