Hiiraan Online
Thursday, October 08, 2015
FILE - Kenya's Attorney General Githu Muigai
NAIROBI (HOL) ---As the two neighbouring 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.
Kenya’s Attorney General Githu Muigai says the two countries can settle their dispute without the need of lawsuit, a suggestion earlier dismissed by Somali government.
Mr. Muigai has noted that the referral of the dispute to ICJ by Somalia disregards the two countries’ long time warm relations and the ‘generosity’ the Kenyan government has furnished to the Somali refugees in the past 25 years.
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 exploring for oil and gas offshore East Africa.
However, the Kenyan Attorney General has reiterate his country’s willingness to bring the stalemate to an end, saying that Kenya has submitted its Preliminary objection against Somalia.
Somalia hasn’t so far commented on the Kenyan government’s request.
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.
“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 in a statement sent to the Kenyan newspapers.
“The least Kenya can expect from Somalia is that it will honour its bilateral agreements,” he said.