The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies held a high-level symposium entitled, Maritime Border Challenges and Implications on Security: An Experts’ Symposium, on July 25-26, 2019 at the Radisson Blu in Nairobi (Kenya). The main objective of the Symposium was to closely examine the maritime border challenges in the region with a specific emphasis to the Kenya-Somalia case as well as other disputes around the World, interrogate alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and seek a practical way forward with regard to the case.

The Symposium attracted local and international maritime scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and legal experts, notably from Kenya, Nigeria, United States, Norway, and Ghana; high-ranking serving and former military officers; representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Defence; representatives of foreign governments, and scholars in the fields of political science, defence, security, diplomacy, and international relations. Regional think tanks and academic institutions were also represented in this symposium.

Subsequently, a policy brief has since been developed and published. Additionally, on September 5, 2019, the Institute will launch the Symposium Report. The report provides an overview of the various sessions, as well as insights and discussions that transpired during the Symposium. Topics highlighted in the report include The Sea and Global Security: State of the World and Horn of Africa; Maritime Border Disputes in East Africa: Implications on Security;  Maritime Disputes around the World: A Legal Perspective;  Instability in the Horn of Africa region: Assessing the Influence of External Interests; Maritime Border Disputes in Africa: Case Studies – Nigeria and Cameroon, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya and Somalia; Maritime Border Disputes around the World: Policy Options and Implications; Maritime Challenges: Geo-strategic and Security Implications; Kenya-Somalia Dispute: Implications on the Horn’s Security and Stability  and, the Role of African Union in Maritime Border Dispute Management.

For further information, please contact Communications Department at communications@horninstitute.org or by phone at +254 735 323 896 or +254 720 323 896.