WDM EDITORIAL ON SOMALIA-KENYA MARITIME DELIMITATION

WHY KENYA SHOULD ACCEPT ICJ RULING ON MARITIME DELIMITATION WITH SOMALIA

KENYA is a neighbor of Somalia. Here she has no choice. Kenya is a economic and diplomatic hub for mainland Somalia. Kenya is a home of hundreds of thousands of Somalis as its citizens and as host of a huge population of Somali refugees. Kenya is the first country to benefit from offshore oil and gas drilling in Somalia. Somalia and foreign oil firms would be needing Kenyan skilled labour and professional assistance in Somali oil industry. It is in the vital economic interests of Kenya to improve its diplomatic, security and political cooperation with Somalia.

Still Kenya has gained a considerable portion of Somali waters of the Indian Ocean through through ICJ arbitration. Somalis were surprised to learn that the ICJ has been too generous to award Kenya with 15% of the maritime zone under dispute. Somalis consider this award unfair and political on the part of Court judges. Neverthertheless, Somalis don’t mind sharing marine resources with their Kenyan brothers and sisters and closest neighbor. Kenyan leaders should deliberate on this wisely. They have more to gain working with Somalis at home in Kenya proper and with Somalis in mainland Somalia. They should look before they leap.

UHURU REJECTION OF ICJ DECISION

https://www.president.go.ke/2021/10/13/statement-by-h-e-hon-uhuru-kenyatta-cgh-president-of-the-republic-of-kenya-and-commander-in-chief-of-the-defence-forces-on-the-international-court-of-justice-judgement-in-maritime-delimitation-ca/