Mogadishu-KNN-Federal government of Somalia has rejected African Union request to have maritime border row solved through mediation, arguing that the mechanism has since failed.
Kenya wrote to African Union, pushing for mediation between her and Somalia, with few days before the commencement of the case at International Court of Justice, according to Hivisasa.
But in a letter dated August 21, Somalia’s ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued the Modadishu is not interested with going back to negotiation table over border dispute.
Instead, Somalia insisted that it will proceed with her submissions at the Hague, scheduled September 12. Kenya is expected to give a rejoinder a day later.
The Somalia government also accused Kenyan parliament of plans to deploy KDF along the disputed Indian Ocean maritime border, which is rich of oil deposits.
Kenya is in new diplomatic attempt to avoid the principal judicial organ of the world ICJ to settle the maritime dispute with Somalia.
In this letter purportedly by Kenya to the AU, the dispute is about regional security, war against Shabaab and presence of its troops in AMISOM.
Nairobi claims the Somalia Parliament declared “fatwa” on the maritime issue. It’s keen to have the matter solved by the African Union rather than ICJ.
The new development could further escalate the already toxic relationship between Kenya and Somalia. Early this year, Nairobi recalled her ambassador to Modadishu.
But days after Somalia ambassador was sent home, the matter was negotiated, bringing about normalcy between the two nations.
Already, Somalia is at tussle with Kenya following Nairobi’s decision to back Jubbaland President Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, who won polls on Thursday.
