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Kenya: The Hague will Determine the framework of Maritime Boundary Law

Nairobi (HAN) July 5, 2015 – Public Diplomacy and Regional Weekly Security News – Somalia not in talks with Kenya to settle out of court in Maritime dispute, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia issued this statement:

Somalia would like to clarify and reiterate its commitment to the legal case and proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
International investment, prosperity and the economic growth of Somalia and its neighbors depend on this issue being resolved and we stand firm by the legal case we put forward.

Last Week, Kenyan statements have emerged in the news suggesting that Kenya and Somalia have agreed to pursue arbitration outside The United Nation’s High court. Thus, declaring that the two nations are seeking an out of court settlement.

 “We have received a pledge from the Federal Government of Somalia indicating readiness to withdraw a case it filed in New York against us and pull out of the case for us to resolve maritime boundary issues,” said Ms Mohammed

Somalia believes in transparent and cooperative dialogue with its neighboring states and remains open to suggestions and initiatives towards a complete and satisfactory settlement.

A statement released this afternoon by the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Investment Promotion reiterated the Government’s commitment to continuing with its legal case and proceedings against Kenya in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The statement is a response to news in recent days that suggested both nations had agreed to settle the ongoing maritime dispute out of court.

“Somalia would like to clarify and reiterate its commitment to the legal case and proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague within the framework of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” said the statement.

The statement continues to argue that international investment, prosperity and the economic growth of Somalia and its neighbours depend on this issue being resolved. Furthermore, while the Government of Somalia welcomed suggestions and initiatives to conclude the settlement satisfactorily, it stood firmly by the legal case it put forward to the International Court of Justice under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The ongoing maritime dispute started in 2012 when the Government of Somalia accused Kenya of awarding offshore oil and gas exploration blocks illegally to the oil companies ENI and Total. However, since the beginning of this dispute investors have mainly stayed away because of a lack of legal clarity over ownership of potential offshore oil and gas reserves.


 

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