The government of Somalia says it has not auctioned the oil and gas blocks in question as the matter is being handled by ICJ. Somalia regrets the decision by Kenya that saw its Ambassador kicked out of Nairobi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation of the Federal Republic of Somalia (the “Government of Somalia”) presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya (the “Government of Kenya”) and has the honour to respond to the latter’s Note Verbale dated 8 February 2019 (MFA REL.13/21) protesting certain maps depicting Somalia’s maritime zones that were presented at a recent Somalia Oil and Gas Conference held on February 7, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.

We note that the Government of Kenya has characterized these maps as “illegal. The maps in question depict Somalia’s cloimed maritime zones and are entirely consistent with Somalia’s long-standing position, including its claim in the maritime delimitation case with Kenya currently before the International Court of Justice ( This long-standing position reflects the Government of Somalia’s duty to protect its
sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unit.y
In addition, the Government of Somalia regrets the recent statements made by the Government of Kenya alleging that the Government of Somalia is “proferring to bid”
any blocks in Kenya’s potential maritime zones to external bidders. Somalia is not
now offering, nor does it have any plans to offer, any blocks in the disputed
maritime area until the Parties’ maritime boundary is decided by the ICJ. In this
respect, the Government of Somalia wishes to reassure the Government of Kenya
that it stands by its commitment not to undertake any unilateral activities in the
disputed area until such time as the ICJ renders its judgment. Somalia also wishes to
reassure Kenya that when the ICJ does render its judgment, Somalia will fully
respect and comply therewith.
Finally, the Government of Somalia also regrets the Government of Kenya’s decision
to instruct the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to depart Kenya
without prior consultation with the Government of Somalia.

The Somali and the Kenyan people share strong cultural and historical ties that
cannot be severed or affected by any disagreements among them. Indeed, the
Somali and the Kenyan people’s destiny and future are indissolubly interconnected.
Hence, the Government of Somalia is committed to continuing to work hard in close
cooperation with its brothers and sisters in Kenya to address the pressing issues
confronting both nations and the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation of the Federal Republic
of Somalia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration.