Frontier Services Group (FSG), co-founded by Erik Prince who
created the US security firm Blackwater, said on Thursday it would
provide logistics, aviation and security services for a regional
development project in Somalia.
Hong Kong-listed FSG
said the deal was signed with the Free Zone Investment Authority of the
South West State of Somalia, one of the federal regions set up under
efforts in the Horn of Africa nation to rebuild its political structures
and economy.
The president of the South West State
region, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, said in a statement that the project
was part of the region's move to attract local and foreign investors.
Some
investment has started returning to Somalia as it recovers from two
decades of conflict, but much has come from Somali expatriates and most
has focused on Mogadishu. Some Turkish and other foreign firms are among
the new investors.
"The project will include an
integrated solution of air-land-sea logistics capabilities and advanced
security management," FSG said in a statement about the deal.
South
West State's plans include building a seaport, airport, residential
areas and setting up agricultural zones, FSG said in its statement.
"We
have brought together strong international business leaders to team-up
with talented Somali entrepreneurs to make development in South West
Somalia a reality," the regional president said, according to the FSG
statement.
He did not give details about costs or timelines.
The
Free Zone Authority's website offered no further information. The
regional president's office could not be reached for comment.
Many
rural areas and small settlements in South West State, which lies south
of Mogadishu, are controlled by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked group
which regularly launches attacks in its bid to oust the nation's
Western-backed, federal government.
The Lower Shabelle region, which also lies in South West state, has also suffered clashes between two big, rival clans.
Prince,
a former US Navy Seal who is FSG's executive chairman, founded the
American military contractor Blackwater which drew international
criticism for its actions in Iraq. He later sold Blackwater, which then
changed its name.
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