Photo/Somali Times
The Deputy Prime Minister is leading a high-level delegation sent by the Somalia government to the Netherlands, particularly to The Hague a maritime court case the International Court of Justice. Between Somalia-Kenya.
Mahdi Guled expressed optimism that Somalia would succeed in the case, which has gone through various stages since the case was filed, despite many delays.
“The trial is set to begin on March 15, 2021. We are optimistic that we will succeed in the maritime struggle that has gone through various stages. We have great confidence. The end of 2020 was to come together for the hearing. “But due to illness & Covid-19 disease, we are now we are ready,” he said.
Mahdi is leading a delegation of ministers, including the attorney general and diplomats involved in the Somalia-Kenya maritime case, who will attend the hearing a week later. For his part, the Attorney General, Suleiman Mohamed Mohamoud, said that ‘maritime struggle is part of the country’s independence’, and that Somalis in general have a responsibility to support lawyers defending the Somalia’s waters.
“Kenya has repeatedly appealed to the ICJ to adjourn the case. Somalia’s seas are part of the country’s freedom and power. The country’s constitution states that it is unacceptable to encroach on any land, sea or air space in Somalia.
Ongoing proceedings in the Maritime case come as Kenya has repeatedly tried to delay the case, but has been rejected by the ICJ.
However, the trial is set to begin on March 15th, 19 2021 with the Somali and Kenyan governments having foreign lawyers as well as senior experts representing both sides.