MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somalia has asked the government of Kenya to leave the fate of maritime dispute between countries to the International Court of Justice.
Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and officials paid visit to Somalia to hold discussion with Somali government officials.
Omamo was received at Aden Abdulle International Airport by her Somali counterpart Mohamed Abdirizak, whom she held bilateral talks on ways and mechanisms for strengthening relations and cooperation.
In a statement after their bilateral meeting, PM Mohamed Roble said the Somalia government reaffirms that the decision on the maritime dispute is with the International Justice Court, and will wait for its verdict.
Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, the government spokesperson said the people of Kenya and Somalia are bound by many mutual interests and PM Roble has committed to further cement this relationship without compromising their fundamental sovereign matters.
A statement by the Somalia Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two ministers “emphasized the importance of taking concrete measures to show respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence, which are the cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries.”
“It’s indeed a revitalized beginning for us as we seek to foster our diplomatic and bilateral ties,” minister Abdirizak said.
Somalia and Kenya are seeking a resolution on the ownership of a 150,000 square-kilometer (58,000 square-mile) area off their Indian Ocean coastline, which both countries want to explore for oil, gas and fish.
In 2014, Somalia went to court to challenge a 2009 agreement that set its maritime border along latitudinal lines extending 450 nautical miles into the sea.
The court has concluded the hearing of the case early this year and is expected announce its ruling in the forthcoming months.
The court verdict is final and not subject to appeal.
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