Monday September 20, 2021
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The International Court of Justice will deliver its ruling on the maritime case between Somalia and Kenya next month, Somali Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled has said.
Guled, the principal-agent for Somalia during the case, said Monday the UN Court will be ruling on the matter on October 12, 2021.
The court has, however, not made a public statement on the matter.
The ruling will end the long-running case, which began in 2014 when Somalia first filed the suit at the Hague-based court. The crux of the disagreement is which direction their border will extend to into the Indian Ocean. The disputed area contains roughly 100,000 square kilometres, supposedly rich in fish, oil and natural gas.
Last October, the court concluded hearings with Somalia alone participating in the oral hearings after Kenya cited bias.
Kenya has sought an out-of-court settlement to this issue, which Somalia has rebuffed.
The case has soured relations between the two East African neighbours.