Kenya has recalled its ambassador to Somalia after the Mogadishu government’s decision to auction oil and gas exploration blocks at the center of a maritime territorial dispute in the Indian Ocean, the foreign ministry said. Reuters reported Kenya said on Saturday it had summoned its ambassador, Lucas Tumbo, and asked his Somalia counterpart Mohammed Muhamud Nur to return to Mogadishu for consultation with his government. Somalia, which held the auction in London on February 7, did not respond immediately to the new developments. The two states have been co-operating in the long fight against the al Qaeda-linked, al Shabaab militants in Somalia. Kenya said the row over maritime territory could jeopardize that.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 17, 2019 13:23 UTC