Somali regulator plots course through political quagmire

The establishment of the Somali Petroleum Authority and launch of a licensing round may be undermined if the replacement of the ousted prime minister is not seen as legitimate

Somalia has passed several key milestones on the long journey to establish a hydrocarbons industry. But maintaining legitimacy of the process in a fragmented political environment will be crucial if the country has any chance of securing necessary investment in a hyper-competitive global environment for the ­exploration dollar. Emerging from decades of civil war, Somalia has established public institutions with some legitimacy and peace was holding firmly enough for the country to credibly launch its first licensing round in early August. But, with oil riches on the table and the prime minister ousted by a vote of no confidence in late July, these fledgling institutions are in for a stern te