The ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied claims that it expelled Somalia Ambassador to Kenya, Mohamoud Ahmed Nur alias Tarzan, and recalled Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia, Ambassador Lt. General (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo, following Somalia’s decision to auction oil & gas blocks in Kenya’s maritime territory.
Through his twitter account, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, said the allegations which have been reported by the media were not true.
“For the record we did not “recall” our Ambassador nor “expel” Somalia’s. We summoned ours for consultations and asked that theirs departs for consultations on their side so that we can resolve this matter with credible and correct information from both sides,” said the PS.
The auction of the oil and gas blocks took place in London, United Kingdom, on the 7th February, 2019.
“This unparalleled affront and illegal grab at the resources of Kenya will not go unanswered and is tantamount to an act of aggression against the people of Kenya and their resources. This outrageous and provocative auction deserves and will be met with a unanimous and resounding rejection by all Kenyans as well as all people of goodwill who believe in the maintenance of international law and order and the peaceful and legal resolution of disputes,” reads a statement from the foreign affairs ministry.
The statement further clarifies that Kenya has through several channels sought to find an amicable solution to the matter.
“By carelessly ignoring the internationally acceptable norms of boundary dispute resolution and or political and diplomatic disagreements, the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia has once again demonstrated that it has yet to attain and embrace the political maturity and diplomatic stance of a normal, well adjusted, and properly functioning modern government,” the statement continues to read.
The maritime dispute case between Kenya and Somalia is currently at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
