Somalia Responds to Kenya's Claim of Auctioning Disputed Oil-Rich Blocks

The Government of Somalia has issued a communiqué responding to claims by Kenya that it has auctioned oil and gas blocks located in a territory claimed by each of the two countries.

In a detailed statement on Sunday, the Somali government has refuted the claims by Kenya, saying that it has no intention of auctioning oil and gas fields in the disputed maritime zones.

Each of the two countries is claiming about 62,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean, believed to be rich in oil and gas deposits.

"Somalia is not now offering, nor does it have any plans to offer, any blocks in the disputed maritime area until the parties’ maritime boundary is decided by the ICJ,” the statement says.

Mogadishu says it can only make moves after the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the disputed territory is decided.

“In this respect, the Government of Somalia wishes to reassure the government of Kenya that it stands by its commitment not to undertake any unilateral activities in the disputed zone until such a time as the ICJ renders its judgment,” the statement reads in part.

Somalia further assures that it will fully respect and comply with whatever ruling the international court will make.

On Saturday, Kenya expelled Somali envoy Mohamoud Ahmed Nur and recalled its own envoy to Somalia Lt-Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo.

Somalia further says Kenyans and Somalis share “strong cultural and historical ties that cannot be severed or affected by disagreements among them.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of the highest consideration.”