The government of Somalia has denied offering oil and gas blocs in Kenyan territory for auction. "Somalia is not offering, nor does it have any plans to offer any blocks in the disputed maritime area until the parties' maritime boundary is decided by the ICJ," the letter said. On Saturday, foreign affairs Principal secretary Macharia Kamau alleged that the Somali government had on February 7 this year offered for auction oil and gas blocks within the disputed maritime territory. Read: Kenya has not "recalled" its ambassador to Somalia - Foreign PS KamauBut the Somalia government has said this move was "regretful", adding that it was done without any consultations. "Indeed, the Somali and Kenyan people's destiny and future are indissolubly interconnected," it said.

Source: The Star February 17, 2019 16:41 UTC