Maritime border dispute between Kenya and Somalia

The maritime border dispute between Kenya and Somalia has escalated since the International Conference on Somali Oil and Gas and at the African Oil and Power Conference in Cape Town, South Africa in October 2019. The Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed declared the licensing bid round in respect of 15 blocks open for business despite ongoing the border dispute.[1]

International Court of Justice

In 2014 Somalia called on the International Court of Justice in The Hague to resolve the dispute.[2] In October 2019 the ICJ postponed the hearing until 8 June 2020.[3]

Somali regional support for Kenya

The semi-autonomous Somali state of Jubaland which contains the entire Somali border with Kenya and 300 mils of coastline has expressed support for Kenya.

New Petroleum Law

In February 2020 the Somali government ratified a new petroleum law ahead of licensing round auctions unlocking Mogadishu's powers to potential sell oil blocks in the disputed region.[4]

Shell and Exxon Mobil Production Sharing Agreement

In March 2020 the Somali government made and agreement with Shell and Exxon Mobil over five blocks it was awarded during the Siad Barre regime. Since Barre's overthrow in 1991 the blocks have been under force majeure.[5]

References
  1. "Somalia Open for Business, says Petroleum Minister: 15 Licenses on Offer". Africa Oil and Power. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  2. "Kenya and Somalia's maritime dispute: One winner, two losers?". African Arguments. 30 October 2019.
  3. "Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean (Somalia v. Kenya)". Internation Court of Justice. 18 October 2019.
  4. "Disputed oil blocks at stake as law gives Somalia power to sell". The East African. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  5. "Somalia signs Shell-ExxonMobil E&P roadmap". Petroleum Economist. 3 March 2020.
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