Mogadishu (SD) – Reliable diplomatic sources in Doha, Mogadishu and Nairobi have confirmed to Mustaqbal Media in Mogadishu that the outgoing president of Somalia agreed to drop the Maritimes case.

Qatar’s Special Envoy to Somalia Mutlaq Al-Qahtani reportedly convinced Somali president to resolve the maritime border dispute with Kenya through talks and out of court.

In contrast, Somalia’s deputy information minister told local media yesterday that the Somali government’s decision to restore diplomatic ties with Kenya would not affect the ICJ maritime case.

“According to Qatar’s Mediation Plan, the presidents of Kenya and Somalia will visit Doha on May 21 to sign an agreement on Somalia’s withdrawal from the maritime dispute, sponsored by Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.” reported Mustaqbal Media.

The government of Qatar says it has helped broker an agreement between the governments of Somalia and Kenya over their diplomatic tensions, describing it as a “new diplomatic victory for Qatar”.

Qatar Petroleum has bought 25% of the three blocks off the coast of Somalia from Italian oil exploration company ENI, and Somali diplomats told Mustaqbal media that Qatar Petroleum’s relationship with ENI is the cause of Qatar’s concern with the deteriorating relations between Somalia and Kenya.

Mustaqbal Media’s report comes a day after the Somali government announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Kenya.