MOGADISHU (SD) – Somali government has dismissed reports claiming that it has agreed to resolve its maritime dispute with Kenya through an out of court settlement.

In a twitter post, the country deputy prime minister Mahdi Mohamed Gulaid said the horn of Africa nation maintain its stance, to have its maritime dispute case with Kenya be determined by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).                                                                                                                                  

“The maritime dispute will be finalized by the International Court of Justice following oral hearing completed in March 15-18 this year,” Guled said. “We are awaiting fair judgment Diplomatic relations between the two countries is separate issue.”

The development comes after media reports claimed that special envoy for counterterrorism and mediation of conflict resolution, Mutlaq Al-Qahtani convinced both countries to resolve their difference over the maritime out of court.

“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 Radio, a local media based in Somali capital.

Both Somalia and Kenya are contesting ownership of a triangular territory measuring 100,000km2 in the Indian Ocean boundary.

Somalia went to International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2014 following what it termed as failure to settle the matter with her neighbour, Kenya bilaterally.

The court has concluded the hearing of the case and is expected to announce its ruling in the forthcoming months.

The court verdict is final and not subject to appeal.

Last Thursday, Somalia announced that it restored its diplomatic ties with Kenya after close to six months hiatus.