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Come clean on ICJ delays, ex-president tells government

Storyline:National News

Former president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed doubts regarding the recent postponement of the maritime case between Kenya and Somalia accusing the government of contemplating an out of court settlement.

The former head of state said in a tweet Sunday evening Somalis had the right to know why the case was postponed.

“What happened to our maritime case in the ICJ? Our people has (sic) the right to know why and how the case was postponed?” the former president posed.

Noting that the government should explain to the public the circumstances surrounding the postponement, Mohamud who is also UPD party leader wondered the two countries were on course to settle the matter out of court.

“Or is this the begining (sic) of the road to ouside (sic) court settlement?”

The International Court of Justice announced a new date on Thursday following prayers by Kenya for more extension. It set June 2020 for the public hearings.

“This postponement is granted on the understanding that both parties will be represented at the hearings and no further postponement will be granted,” the UN court said in a statement.

Somalia went to the ICJ in 2014 during the tenure of president Mohamud following what it termed as failed bilateral agreements with Kenya. The postponement on Thursday was the second after an earlier one in September which granted Kenya two months extension.