GEO-POLITICAL DYNAMICS INFLUENCING MARITIME DIPLOMACY BETWEEN KENYA AND SOMALIA

Abstract

Globally, there has been an often emergence of maritime border disputes. For example, maritime disputes between China and Vietnam, China and Philippines, United Kingdom and Argentina over Antarctica just to mention a few cases. The Horn of Africa region, one of the clusters of conflict in Africa, is unique in that it is triangularly hemmed by large bodies of water; the Nile River in the West; the Red Sea in the North, and the Indian Ocean in the East. The Somalia- Kenya relation is imminent and existed before 2008. Since 1963, the Kenyan-Somali irredentism factor has been a constant threat on Kenya’s sovereignty, political stability and foreign policy. The general objective of this study was to investigate Geo-political dynamics influencing maritime diplomacy between Kenya and Somalia. The objectives of this study were to: evaluate the geopolitical factors that occasion maritime border dispute pertaining to diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia, assess the nature of maritime diplomacy between Kenya and Somalia, and examine the challenges and opportunities of maritime diplomacy in regard to territorial cooperation between Kenya and Somalia. The study was anchored on a conceptual framework guided by three theories; Theory of Geo-politics, Power theory, and nascent diplomatic theory. This study used descriptive design. The target the population of Mombasa and Lamu in Kenya and Ras Kamboni in Somalia. The categories of the study population included Household heads Diplomats, Officials from the Ministry of interior and National Government coordination, Security Personnel, Kenya Coast Guard, Opinion Leaders, Legal Experts, Law Makers, local administration Officials, and Officials from Ras-Kamboni Brigade. The sample size for household heads was 384 based on fisher’s formula. The study utilised multi-stage, purposive convenience and simple random sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant interviews. Study also utilized secondary data. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented inform of frequencies and percentages through tables and graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic techniques and presented as narrative reports and verbatim quotations. The main findings of the study: The Indian Ocean contested area provides a source of income and livelihood for fishermen and is believed to have vast oil and gas deposits, which explains the global attention it has attracted. Additionally, international boundaries are the sharp edge of the territories within which states exercise their jurisdictions, the lines that mark the legal termination of the territory of one state or political unit and the start of another. Border synonyms include frontiers, borderline, boundaries, and borderlands. The study findings inform policies on the need for states to strike a balance between efficient border control and the need to strengthen cooperation hence a proficient border management system is vital for the economic advancement of both the state and the wider region. The overall conclusion of the study is that a myriad of geo-political factors influence the maritime diplomacy between Kenya and Somalia. These intersections of factors have been at the center of the maritime border dispute between Kenya and Somalia which is deeply embedded in a broader geopolitical context. The study made the following recommendations. First it is crucial to conduct comprehensive and unbiased assessments of the historical, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the dispute. Secondly, both countries should prioritize creating dedicated diplomatic channels for maritime issues and finally enhancing maritime diplomacy and fostering territorial cooperation between Kenya and Somalia requires addressing complex challenges and utilizing available opportunities.