Somalia’s legal fees in maritime case offset by UAE- Foreign Minister

The United Arab Emirates is financing Somalia’s maritime case at The Hague against Kenya, contrary to claims the Saudi government was responsible, Goobjoog News has established.

Speaking exclusively to Goobjoog News from New York, Foreign Affairs Minister Abdusalam Omer Hadliye said the Emirati government was responsible for offsetting the legal fee for the legal team representing Somalia.

The minister did not however disclose the cost of the case which Somalia has hired a constellation of legal minds to battle out the maritime dispute with his neighbor, Kenya.

Paul Reichler of Foley Hoag LLP New York described as one the world’s most respected and experienced practitioners of Public International Law with more than 25 years experience is among the team hired by Somalia.

He has represented several sovereign states in maritime disputes including the Philipines vs China regarding the disputed South China Sea (2013-2016), Nicaragua v. United States of America (1984-1986), Argentina v. Uruguay (2006-2010) among others.

Other lawyers in the team are French lawyer Prof Allain Pellet, Mona Sharmaan among others.

Attorney General Ahmed Ali Dahir leads the team. The International Court of Justice is expected to issue its verdict in the near future on whether it will take up the case on send the two countries back to the negotiating table.