By Eng Muude, Published on AyroTV.com, April 30, 2025
The history of Somalia is marked by complex geopolitical dynamics, with natural resources often playing a pivotal role in shaping its trajectory. A recent post on social media has brought renewed attention to a significant yet controversial chapter in Somalia’s past: the involvement of American oil giants in the country before and during its devastating civil war in the early 1990s. The post, shared by the Somali Observer, references a historical article by Mark Fineman in the Los Angeles Times, highlighting the stakes of four major U.S. petroleum companies—Conoco, Amoco, Chevron, and Phillips—in Somalia’s oil reserves.
According to the Times report, nearly two-thirds of Somalia’s land was allocated to these American companies for oil exploration in the years leading up to the country’s descent into chaos. This allocation occurred during the final years of President Mohamed Siad Barre’s regime, which ended in January 1991 when he was overthrown, plunging Somalia into a prolonged civil war. The companies had secured rights to some of the most promising oil concessions, with geologists estimating that Somalia could yield significant oil and gas reserves—potentially rivaling those of other resource-rich nations.
The involvement of these oil giants raises questions about the intersection of corporate interests and international politics. Sources at the time suggested that the companies were hopeful that the Bush Administration’s decision to deploy U.S. troops to Somalia in the early 1990s—ostensibly for humanitarian aid following the famine and conflict—would also safeguard their multimillion-dollar investments. This deployment, however, became infamous due to the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, later depicted in the film Black Hawk Down, where U.S. military personnel suffered significant casualties.
The historical context of oil exploration in Somalia adds a layer of complexity to the narrative of the civil war. Siad Barre, who ruled Somalia from 1969 to 1991, oversaw a period of centralized governance that eventually gave way to clan-based conflicts and instability. The promise of oil wealth, as noted in the Times article, may have been a motivating factor for external actors, but it also underscores the challenges of resource management in a politically fragile state. The hashtags accompanying the social media post—such as #blackhawkdown, #siadbarre, and #mogadishu—reflect the enduring impact of these events on Somali history and collective memory.
Today, Somalia continues to grapple with the legacy of its past while navigating new opportunities for resource development. The country’s potential oil reserves remain a topic of interest, but stability and equitable governance are critical to ensuring that such resources benefit the Somali people rather than fueling further conflict. As we reflect on this history, it serves as a reminder of the intricate ties between natural resources, international interests, and the quest for peace in the Horn of Africa.
