Friday June 19, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Kenya will not use its position at the UN Security Council to undermine the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice, National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale has said.
Reacting to Kenya’s election Thursday for a non-permanent seat at the Council, Duale said the maritime case is solely the business of the Court and that his country will not intervene.
"I think Somalia was among countries that voted for Kenya's candidacy at AU session (in Addis Ababa).
The issue of the maritime dispute is before ICJ court, Somalia is okay with the verdict of court,” Duale said in an interview with BBC Somali. “We are brotherly countries and there is no way we can be divided at any cost.”Somalia, which campaigned for Djibouti had warned Kenya’s election would compromise the maritime case.
Kenya successfully petitioned the UN Court in April to further postpone the oral hearings in the maritime case with Kenya to March 2021.
Both Somalia and Djibouti have since welcomed the election of Kenya noting they are ‘confident Kenya will represent the region’s interests.’
Kenya garnered 129 seats Thursday to win the seat as Djibouti lost 16 more votes from the first round.
President Uhuru Kenyatta assured his country will use the seat to champion for the continent’s interests.
“Kenya, the President said, will endeavor to consolidate and voice Africa's position in the Security Council and will advance its 10-point agenda as outlined during the campaign period,” a statement from the Presidency read in part.