Somalia eagerly waits for the ICJ verdict on maritime border dispute with Kenya

Mahdi Mohamed Guled, the deputy Somali PM taking part the first day of the hearing at ICJ in March 15 [UN Photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The International Court of Justice [ICJ] has issued an official date for delivery of judgment on maritime border row between Kenya and Somalia, which has dragged for almost four years after proceedings were officially kick-started.

In a statement published on the official website, the ICJ noted that the ruling will be made on October 12 next month, where both parties are required to be in the courtroom. The hearing was concluded in March 2021.

According to the statement, presiding Judge Joan E. Donoghue will read the ruling in the afternoon. This will be the final determination that could even define the relationship between Kenya and Somalia.

"On 12 October 2021, the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will deliver its Judgment in the case concerning Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya)," read the statement.

"A public sitting of the Court will take place at 3 p.m. at the Peace Palace in The Hague, during which the President of the ICJ, Judge Joan E. Donoghue, will read out the Court’s decision," it further stated.

The court said that due to the COVID-19 spike, only the representatives from the two countries will be allowed in the chambers. Other entities such as the media and members of the diplomatic corps will be able to follow live proceedings through a webcast.

"In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, only Members of the Court and representatives of the Parties will be present in the Great Hall of Justice," it said. "Members of the diplomatic corps, the media and public will be able to follow the reading through a live webcast on the Court’s website, as well as on UN Web TV."

Early this week, Somalia's Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Gulaid preempted the planning ruling on his official Twitter account. Mahdi is one of the representatives from the Horn of Africa nation and has been particularly keen on the case.

He said the country is eagerly waiting for the ICJ verdict on the sea border dispute case that has been dragging on since 2014 after Mogadishu filed the lawsuit at the UN court.

For several years, Kenya has been pushing for out-of-court settlement but efforts by the African Union and IGAD have not borne fruits. Somalia has remained categorical that the matter can only be solved at the International Court of Justice.

GAROWE ONLINE