Somalia is to give offshore blocks to oil companies that are interested, as part of its first offshore licensing round. However, due to maritime territorial dispute between Somalia and Kenya its offshore oil production goals could be risked. Thus, Reuters reported that Kenya ordered its ambassador back home from Somalia, after the Mogadishu government’s decision to auction oil and gas exploration blocks in the Indian Ocean.
Specifically, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is considering a claim on the two countries’ maritime boundaries brought by Somalia in 2014 after negotiations over the 100,000 square km stretch of sea floor broke down.
Kenya also announced that summoned its ambassador, Lucas Tumbo, back and asked Somalian ambassador Mohammed Muhamud Nur to go back to Mogadishu to discuss with the government.
Somalia denied the accusation of the auction that took place on February 7 in London.
In addition, the Somali government stated:
There was no auction of oil blocks.
Moreover, Mogadishu officials supported that they could secure the territorial integrity of the country in the Hague, expecting the court to decide based on justice.
Despite Somalia denying the accusation, Spectrum, a seismic company, published on its website 15 License Blocks available that seemed to be Kenya’s maritime territory, as the latter addressed.
Kenya quoted that:
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.
Finally, a report published by Fitch Solutions highlighted that licensing of exploration blocks offshore Somalia risks further tensions with Kenya over a maritime border dispute.