This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On September 19, the International Court of Justice is set to deliver its verdict on the maritime border dispute between Kenya and Somalia, a case that has been ongoing since August 2014.
However, experts warn that the ruling may not be the end of the conflict, as it is often the case that legal processes do not resolve underlying issues.
At a conference in Nairobi, legal and foreign policy experts discussed the complexities of maritime boundary conflicts on the continent, highlighting the need for dialogue and negotiation between nations.
According to Makumi Mwagiru, Adjunct Professor of Diplomacy at Strathmore University, 'these are terrible ways to do business. It is a win-lose situation.'
Professor Mwagiru analyzed the difference between disputes and conflicts, stating that what is happening between Somalia and Kenya is a conflict that cannot be solved by the courts.
Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma has vehemently protested oil stock marketing of Somalia in the contested area, stating that 'not even an inch' of Kenyan territory will be ceded.
Experts warn that the conflict is not just about the law, but also about national interest, territorial integrity, and resources available in the contested areas.
As Somalia prepares for its upcoming elections in 2021, President Mohammed Farmaajo is seen as having a vested interest in the outcome of the case.
