Thursday, March 28, 2024

Kenya and Somalia restore diplomatic ties

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Isaac Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

Ethiopia has helped in brokering a deal to have diplomatic ties between Kenya and Somalia restored.

Kenya and Somalia have been engaged in a row over the ownership of offshore oil fields in the Indian Ocean.

The dispute over a maritime border escalated last month forcing Kenya to recall its ambassador to Somalia, Lucas Tumbo.

Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya, Mohammed Muhamud Nur was also asked to return to Mogadishu.

Source of recent row

Kenya had claimed that Somalia auctioned oil and gas exploration blocks at the centre of the dispute.

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Somalia however denied the claims as both countries await the resolution of the dispute which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

A handout photograph that shows a panoramic aerial view shot from over the Indian Ocean where the oil blocks are located. AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.

Somalia first lodged the complaints over the maritime boundaries in 2014. It had then negotiated over the 100,000 square kilometres area with the oil deposit.

The final ruling will significantly impact on the revenue both countries could secure from oil and gas exploration.

Resolution efforts

But on Wednesday Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed in a tweet that he is helping to mediate between the presidents of Somalia and Kenya.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart, Mohamed Farmaajo held face-to-face talks in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

Abiy Ahmed said Wednesday’s meeting was “to discuss extensively on the source of the two countries dispute.

As an outcome both agreed to work towards peace & to take measures in addressing particular issues that escalated the tensions.”

There were fears the current maritime border dispute could impact negatively efforts to deal with terrorism in the East African region.

Both countries have for years been collaborating on this mission.

 

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

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