Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 19 September 2016: ICJ to hold public hearings concerning the case Somalia v. Kenya

From Monday 19 to Friday 23 September, The International Court of Justice will hold public hearings concerning the case Somalia v. Kenya, about the Maritime Delimitation in the Indian Ocean. As specified by the Court, 'The hearings will concern solely the preliminary objections raised by Kenya". A narrow triangle In the Indian Ocean is at the heart of the problem. This 100,000 square kilometers territory (62,000 square miles) has potential reserves of oil and gas. The case started in 2014 when Somalia firstly sued Kenya, and the parties met several times.

However, "no progress was made in any of the meetings" precised the Somali government. Finally, the decision of the Court will be binding, and it might be a risk and a disadvantage for one State, while a compromise is still possible. Furthermore, the case is likely to last few years before reaching any final decision.