Why Kenya cannot cede ground in Somalia maritime row

Kenya just in the recent couple of days has expressed its displeasure on Somalia’s action to include an area of dispute with Kenya as part of its own during the licensing round that took place in London on the 7^th of February 2019. In the period between 2014-2015, offshore seismic data was acquired covering both shallow and deep water of the Southern Ocean of Somalia by Somalia Oil and Gas. The latest inspection was conducted by Spectrum UK. The company has been conducting a multi-client survey in the Southern Indian Ocean Offshore in Somalia.

Offshore Somalia is divided into three basins, mainly the Obbia basin in the north, Cariole basin and the Juba-Lamu basin. These areas in offshore Somalia indicate a huge exploration prospect with huge hydrocarbon potential.  Spectrum Oil Company took part in the organization of the licensing round in London, where 50 blocks covering a total area of 173,000km square were unveiled. The area in dispute with Somalia is about 100,000km², warranting Kenya to send official diplomatic protest letters to the government of Somalia.