Hiiraan Online
Saturday November 14, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia’s government has accused Kenya of
plotting to scrub out the border marker that identifies the two countries’
respective borderlines under pretext of building a separation wall to prevent
terrorists from crossing into Kenya.
The allegations come as the two neighboring countries are
locked in a maritime boundary dispute at the International court. The Kenyan
government said it seeks to end the long-running dispute with Somalia in a
friendly manner and outside court.
In statement from Somalia’s cabinet on Thursday, the
government said that it were not consulted about the wall which being built
along the borderline, raising suspicions of a secret scheme by Kenya.
“We shall talk to the government of Kenya about the
reports that it’s obliterating border markers.” said Abdirahman Odawa,
Somalia’s interior minister.
“But in the meantime, we demand an explanation from Kenya
on the developments.” He said.
Last
year, Somalia’s government has taken Kenya to the ICC to end the border
dispute, saying the dispute risks deterring multinational oil companies from offshore
oil and gas exploration.
However,
the Kenyan Attorney General has reiterated his country’s willingness to bring
the stalemate to an end, saying that Kenya has submitted its Preliminary
objection against Somalia.
“Kenya’s
contention is that Somalia’s case falls outside the jurisdiction of the Court
and is inadmissible because it is contrary to Somalia’s international
obligations”. Mr. Muigai said last month.
However,
Somalia insisted on court settlements to end the dispute.
Earlier
this year, Kenya has identified eight new offshore exploration blocks available
for licensing, and all but one of them are located in the contested area, but
Somalia insisted that Kenya’s target area is within their maritime boundary.