Public hearings for the maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia will commence on November 4, the International Court of Justice has formally announced. The UN global court said Wednesday in a statement the hearings, which were postponed early this month will run from 4th to 8th of November upon which both countries will present their arguments before the Court.
“The hearings in this case have been rescheduled further to the request made by the Republic of Kenya on 3 September 2019 and taking into account the views expressed by the Federal Republic of Somalia on that request,” the statement reads in part. Kenya successfully petitioned the Court earlier this month to postpone the proceedings, but failed to secure the one year extension. The Court granted a two month extension.
Kenya had sought a one year extension on grounds that it needed more time to recruit a new team of defence lawyers. Somalia has fervently objected to an out of Court settlement which Kenya has in the last one year vigorously pursued. The African Union Peace and Security Council last week urged the two countries to ‘find an amicable and sustainable settlement’ on the maritime row which has adversely affected relations between the two countries.