Kenya has formally asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to delay the hearing of the Somalia maritime dispute, allowing time for the recruitment of a new defence team.
According to Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, the request was made due to 'exceptional circumstances' necessitating the replacement of the initial legal team.
The case, which has been scheduled for hearing next week, involves a dispute over a 100,000km2 area of the Indian Ocean. Somalia is seeking to change the maritime boundary from its current eastwards direction to a diagonal flow, which could threaten Kenya's sea stake.
Under Article 54 of the ICJ's Rules of the Court, parties to a case may request a change in the scheduled date, provided there are 'exceptional circumstances'.
Kenya's request, if granted, could result in the rescheduling of the public hearing on new dates. The ICJ's President, Somali Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, is expected to deliver a verdict by September 19.
Kenya's decision to seek a delay in the hearing comes amid rising tensions between Mogadishu and Nairobi. Somalia has rejected Kenya's attempts to resolve the dispute out of court, arguing that the ICJ is better equipped to handle the matter.
