The International Court of Justice has for the second time this year postponed the maritime delimitation case between Kenya and Somalia to 2020.
“The court has duly considered the views and arguments of the Parties regarding Kenya’s request. It has decided to postpone the oral proceedings to the week beginning Monday 8 June 2020,” a letter from ICJ to Attorney General Kihara Kariuki read in part.
Kenya had requested for another deferral in the matter that was initially scheduled for hearing in September and later to November.
ICJ, however, the postponement was conditional that added states that the postponement is granted on the understanding that both parties will be represented at the hearings and that no further postponement will be granted.
“Again the Court wishes to remind the Parties that the written proceedings, in this case, are already closed. The parties should proceed to the hearings in accordance with the Rules of Court,” the letter stated.
This is widely seen as a tactical and strategic move by Kenya, which has been pushing for an out of court settlement.
Somalia, on the other side, insists the ICJ should be left to decide on the matter.
Somalia sued Kenya at the ICJ on August 28, 2014 over Indian Ocean waters.
