Kenya and Somalia have initiated diplomatic talks to address their maritime boundary dispute, with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed mediating the discussions in Nairobi. The negotiations followed accusations from Kenya that Somalia unlawfully auctioned offshore oil and gas blocks in a contested region.
The disagreement centers on a 100,000-square-kilometer maritime area believed to contain significant hydrocarbon reserves. Kenya alleged that Somalia's auction of exploration rights in February 2019 violated an ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) case, which Somalia filed in 2014 to establish its maritime boundaries.
Kenya's government described the auction as an "unparalleled affront" to its sovereignty, prompting the temporary recall of its ambassador to Mogadishu. Somali officials denied the allegations, stating they would not proceed with unilateral actions until the ICJ resolves the dispute.
The two nations differ on the border's alignment: Somalia seeks a boundary extending southeast along the land border, while Kenya advocates for a straight eastward line to maximize its territorial claims. Ethiopia's involvement aims to de-escalate tensions ahead of the ICJ's final ruling, which could determine control over the resource-rich zone.
