Hiiraan Online
Tuesday October 22, 2019
MOGADISHU (HOL) - Somalia has dismissed claims it fired one of its attorneys in the ongoing maritime case with Kenya at the International Court of Justice.
Somali ambassador to the EU Ali Said Faqi said in a statement the claims were unfounded noting the government intends to retain its defense team until the conclusion of the case.Responding to social media reports that one of the lawyers, Muna Sharman had been relieved of her duties, Faqi confirmed she had left but not kicked out.
“Muna called the President and sought to leave because she had got a job with the World Bank,” Faqi said.
President Mohamed Farmaajo, Faqi said accepted her request. “She is no longer part of the team representing Somalia,” said Faqi.
Faqi was among a team of defense lawyers battling the case with Kenyan over the maritime dispute which has now been postponed to June 2020.
During her tenure, Somalia successfully managed to convince the Court to hear the maritime case after Kenya challenged its jurisdiction over the case.
Faqi said the rest of the lawyers will remain until the case is concluded.
The Court last week granted Kenya a second extension setting the public hearing for June 2020. Kenya had argued it needed more time to reconstitute its defense team.