Blackwater founder's FSG signs security deal with Somali region

Frontier Services

22/06/2017 12:17

By George Obulutsa 
    NAIROBI, June 22(Reuters) - Frontier Services Group (FSG) 
 0500.HK , co-founded by Erik Prince who created the U.S. 
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 U.S. Navy Seal who is FSG's executive 
chairman, founded U.S. military contractor Blackwater which drew 
international criticism for its actions in Iraq. He later sold 
Blackwater, which then changed its name. 
 
 (Additional reporting by Feisal Omar in Mogadishu; Editing by 
Edmund Blair) 
 ((george.obulutsa@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +254 20 499 1232; 
Reuters Messaging: 
george.obulutsa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: SOMALIA FRONTIER SERVICE/