Somalia PM: I didn't discuss maritime border dispute with Kenya

PM Roble met Somali community in Nairobi on Wednesday as he is on official Kenya visit [Photo: OPM]

NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia's Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has denied claims that he discussed the Indian Ocean maritime border dispute with President Uhuru Kenyatta, terming the reports as "inaccurate and untrue".

Roble, who has been in Kenya since Tuesday, met Kenya's president before proceeding to meet a host of Somalis living in Nairobi. It's in Nairobi where he clarified the controversial issue, which had dominated social media forums for the better part of Wednesday.

A statement first issued by State House Nairobi seemed to suggest that PM Mohamed Roble and President Uhuru Kenyatta settled on an amicable solution to the border dispute, despite the fact that the matter is being arbitrated at the International Court of Justice [ICJ].

But the statement would later be edited by expunging the section of the Indian Ocean maritime border row, further raising questions about the intent. Kenya is yet to clarify why the matter would be in the official statement if at all it wasn't discussed.

However, in a meeting with Somalis living in Kenya, Roble said the maritime border row would not feature in his meeting with Uhuru, adding that Somalia has faith in the International Court of Justice, which he said was the only last resolution.

"I didn't come to Kenya to sign agreements and the maritime case is untouchable as it resides with ICJ," PM Mohamed Roble said during his remarks at a welcome event hosted by the Somalia community and business people in Kenya.

Kenya has been secretly lobbying to have the matter withdrawn from the ICJ for an alternative dispute resolution. However, Somalia is determined to have the issue settled by the ICJ, arguing that the local mechanism had flopped before.

PM Mohamed Roble also mentioned that his communication team was recent attacked by a smear campaign regarding the nature of their state visit to Kenya. The PM also elaborated on the recent development about the fall-off between OPM and Villa Somalia.

There have been claims that outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo is against the reforms being instigated by Roble, with attempts to block his trip to Kenya also exposed. Roble ascended to power in October 2020 following the sacking of Hassan Ali Khaire.

GAROWE ONLINE