Kenya boycotts ICJ hearing on Somalia sea boundary row

The dispute is about some 100,000sq km of seafloor, believed to be rich in oil and gas.

Kenya has refused to participate in hearings at the World Court about a maritime boundary dispute with Somalia over contested parts of the Indian Ocean, in a dispute that has strained the neighbours’ diplomatic relations. The case was filed in 2014 by Somalia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  – the United Nation’s highest court for disputes between states – and a decision could determine rights to exploit oil and gas in the deep waters off the East African coastline. Hearings, when both sides were due to present arguments, were scheduled for this week, but Kenya was not present in the first day on Monday in court or via video link.