The Federal Government of Somalia has broken its silence on the recent seizure of the vessel SEA WORLD off the coast of Puntland, accusing the Puntland administration of hijacking and overstepping its constitutional authority.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Information, the government said the seized vessel was legally en route to the TURKSOM military training base in Mogadishu. According to the statement, the ship was carrying military equipment and vehicles as part of the defense cooperation agreements between Somalia and the Republic of Turkey. The vessel also reportedly carried commercial goods belonging to Somali traders.
Calling the seizure a “blatant constitutional violation,” the federal government said the incident undermines Somalia’s national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The statement demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the SEA WORLD, arguing that the military equipment on board was essential for the country’s national security.
The government further warned Puntland against continuing what it called “illegal operations along the Somali coast,” and urged cooperation with the federal government to ensure the safety and regulation of maritime activity in Somali waters.
In a firm tone, the government announced it would take legal measures to prevent coastal areas from becoming hubs for unauthorized actions that resemble piracy, emphasizing the need to protect legitimate maritime traffic.
This marks the first official comment from the Somali government regarding the SEA WORLD, a full week after the ship was detained. The controversy unfolds amid Puntland’s ongoing investigation into the vessel and its cargo.
Puntland had earlier claimed the ship had been in Somali territorial waters near Bareeda for two days without authorization and that it was carrying illegal arms. The regional government also expressed concern that the ship had docked in an area recently affected by heavy fighting against international terrorist groups, including ISIS, raising suspicions about the vessel’s true intent.
