President Uhuru Kenyatta maintained that the Indian Ocean maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia can only be solved through dialogue.
Already, International Court of Justice has placed November 6th as the date for hearing of the dispute, with both countries expected to file submissions.
But at New York on Wednesday, Uhuru who had briefly met President Mohammed Farmaajo, insisted that there is need for the two countries to allow negotiations.
"The commitment to pursue peace and security remains at the core of Kenya’s Foreign Policy. I am pleased to say that combined efforts to advance peace and security in the region continue to bear fruits,” he said.
Uhuru while congratulating Sudan and South Sudan for committing to a path of sustainable peace, challenged Somalia to consider dialogue and negotiation as an option for resolving the maritime border dispute currently before the ICJ.
“In the same spirit, my administration continues to reach out to Somalia in an effort to find an amicable and sustainable solution to the maritime boundary dispute between us,” he said.
“In this regard, I welcome the decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 3rd September 2019 that urges both parties to engage.”
Uhuru said the UN Charter privileges the use of negotiation as the most preferred mechanism for settlement of disputes.
Similarly, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides for the delimitation of maritime boundaries between states amicably.
“It is this normative framework that informs Kenya’s call for the resolution of this dispute through negotiation,” he said.
Last week, Al-Shabaab militants Commander Ahmed Umar warned Kenya against the maritime border row. The commander also accused Britain and US of supporting Kenya on the matter.
The commander, who has been in the hideouts since 2016, hinted that Al-Shabaab may not be interested after all with ICJ ruling, an indication that they could forcefully occupy the waters.
"We are informing our Muslim nation that the Mujahideen will never accept, and are against any decision made by the so-called International Criminal Court," said Umar.
"We tell the world that we don't compromise on our oceans and we need our society to be aware that Kenya has already engulfed a large swathe of our territory before aiming for the maritime claim."
Al-Shabaab considers that part of north-eastern Kenya -- historically inhabited by ethnic Somalis -- should be returned to Somalia.
Since Kenyan forces deployed to Somalia in 2011, the Shabaab have carried out several deadly attacks on its soil, the latest on January 15 against an office complex housing the Dusit hotel, which left 21 dead.
Already, Majority Leader Aden Duale wants KDF troops deployed in the disputed Indian Ocean border, a move that could further heighten political differences between Nairobi and Mogadishu.