17 October 2021 – Liban Hassan
Despite the conclusion of the maritime case, and Somalia’s victory over Kenya, in the seven years that the ICJ case was pending, the international community have covertly taking sides of in this maritime dispute.
It is noteworthy that relations between Somalia and Kenya have deteriorated as a result of this dispute, especially since the London Conference in February 2019, but there have been attempts to mediate between the sides, with Qatar taking a leading role lately.
The area that was in dispute is said to have substantial deposits of oil and gas and thus has attracted the attention of key players in the global energy markets, different governments have been leaning toward one of the two sides of the disputing parties Kenya and Somalia.
Here is a summary of how the countries are divided over the maritime case:
Countries with Kenya:
United States: The United States been a strategic partner of Kenya in the fight against terrorism, with Kenya receiving substantial assistance from the United States in its fight against Al Shabaab. There have been numerous agreements between Kenya and The United States over the past decade, President Uhuru Kenyatta is currently on a state visit to the US having been seen by President Joe Biden at the White House.
France: France has been leaning towards Kenya mainly due to TotalEnergies SE being one of the companies that has invested in the disputed territory, having signed an oil drilling agreements with Kenya.
Qatar: Qatar was one of Kenya’s allies because Qatar Petroleum announced in 2019 that it had entered into an agreement with ENI and Total to acquire a 25% stake in the exploration of three blocks in Lamu, a region, which is in the disputed zone.
Countries with Somalia:
UAE: The UAE has been a staunch supporter of Somalia, as it has paid for lawyers and most of the costs of the maritime case, and has ambitions for Somalia’s port in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Britain: In addition to its exploration and even prospecting for oil and blogging, strained relations with Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been accused of crimes against humanity, have strengthened the UK’s involvement with Somalia.
Norway: Norway has leaned towards Somalia for numerous reasons; initially Norway has been one of the countries that assisted Somalia in the UN to get the maritime boundary demarcated. Additionally oil conferences have been held in Somalia, with the largest bidding companies being Norwegian, furthermore, the previous Prime Minister of Somalia was a Norwegian national.
The maritime case, which was arbitrated at the ICJ, was overwhelmingly won by Somalia have been awarded the lion share of the disputed. Key players in energy market and their respective governments have been keeping a close eye on the case.