The Government of Somalia has denied “proffering to bid” Kenya’s potential maritime zones to external bidders.
The two countries are each claiming some 62,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean, believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits.
In a statement dated February 17, the Somali government has noted that it does not intend to auction any blocks in the disputed zone until a case that is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is decided.
“In this respect, the Government of Somalia wishes to reassure the government of Kenya that it stands by its commitment not to undertake any unilateral activities in the disputed zone until such a time as the ICJ renders its judgement,” the statement reads in part.
Somalia further maintained that whatever the ruling, it will “fully respect and comply herewith.”
The Somali government also regretted the expulsion of its envoy Mohamoud Ahmed Nur alias Tarzan without prior consultation.
Mr Nur landed in Mogadishu on Sunday at the Aden Abdulle International Airport together with Somalia’s First Lady Zeynab Moalim and the Foreign minister Ahmed Issa Awad.
Kenya also recalled its own envoy to Somalia Lt-Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo.
The Somalia government is still willing to work with the Kenyan government noting that its people share “strong cultural and historical ties that cannot be severed or affected by disagreements among them.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of the highest consideration.”
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