Uhuru's team amends statement on Somalia-Kenya maritime border dispute

State House Nairobi. [Photo courtesy]

NAIROBI, Kenya - State House Kenya was forced to change a statement on the controversial Indian Ocean maritime border, which it had released following President Uhuru Kenyatta's talks with Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble.

Roble is in Kenya for an official trip and on Tuesday, he held closed-door talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta in the coastal city of Mombasa. The Somali PM is set to visit Nairobi on Wednesday [today] for a meeting with Somalis living in Kenya.

But perhaps the big talking point would be the decision by Uhuru's team to amend a statement on the Indian Ocean maritime border, which Uhuru had reportedly discussed with Roble, and allegedly agreed for an amicable solution.

"He welcomed the restoration of the Kenya-Somalia diplomatic ties, and called for an amicable resolution of the maritime border dispute," Uhuru's team had earlier indicated.

However, the statement was quickly changed to read: "He welcomed the restoration of the Kenya-Somalia diplomatic ties, and underscored the importance of stability in national and regional development saying, economic growth is only possible in a peaceful environment."

It's not clear why the blunder emanated but some sources claim Roble's team placed a phone call and demanded the statement be amended, "to reflect what the two leaders discussed". State House Kenya is yet to issue a clarification to the blunder.

Kenya and Somalia have been having tussles over the control of the oil-rich Indian Ocean maritime border, but the two nations are yet to agree. Currently, the case is before the International Court of Justice [ICJ] at The Hague, with Somalia insisting on the court process.

“Without peace, there cannot be prosperity. Let us focus on providing services to our people. This can only be possible if we work together to root out terrorism. It’s time to improve trade and sort out immigration issues to allow increased people-to-people interactions," Uhuru told his Somali visitor.

Prime Minister Roble regretted the recent deterioration of relations between Kenya and Somalia saying, it was an error for the two nations to forsake the vision of unity held by the founding fathers of the two nations.

He acknowledged the historical relationship that exists between Kenya and Somalia, saying the friendship is based on “good neighborliness, cooperation, stability, and mutual respect".

“Today is the beginning of a strong and deep relationship of our brotherhood. Somalia will work hard to strengthen the Joint Commission for Cooperation in the interest of both peoples, their unity and stability and beyond the region and the continent,” PM Roble said through a translator.

“We will look for opportunities that lead to lasting stability and peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and genuine cooperation while avoiding anything that could harm that relationship,” he assured.

President Kenyatta was accompanied to the bilateral meeting by Cabinet Secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs) and Peter Munya (Agriculture) among other senior Government Officials.

GAROWE ONLINE