The row over ownership of maritime oil fields along the Indian Ocean has taken a new shape after Somalia on Saturday ruled out any possible negotiations with Kenya.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad said the matter at hand can only be solved at the International Court of Justice, a move that could prolong the crisis.
"Somali government and its people's stand on the issue is that's a court matter and there will be no negotiation and bargaining on that issue," he said. "We want that matter to remain like that," Awad said as quoted by VOA.
Over the weekend, Somalia banned her ministers from holding meetings in Nairobi, slightly a week after a minister and two MPs were denied access at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Due to the recent travel issues to Nairobi, Kenyan, the ministry informs all its partners that representatives from the ministry will not attend all planned and upcoming meetings, workshops, seminars and training to be held in Nairobi,” the Health Ministry said in a letter.
Kenya's Foreign Affairs minister Monica Juma denied claims that authorities in Nairobi were unfairly targeting Somalia diplomats. Instead, she said, everybody travels on Visa.
“All of us travel with visas so, if you do not have it it can be very difficult,” Juma said after meeting with EU Foreign Policy boss Federica Mogherini as quoted by Daily Nation.
On Friday, Somalia President Mohammed Farmajo was forced to snub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while travelling to South Africa. He has traditionally used JKIA.