Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua has outlined Kenya’s stance on various conflicts around the world.
Mutua says that following consultations with Kenya’s partners, the state has come up with a variety of approaches in response to various peace and security challenges.
Haiti crisis
Mutua announced that Haiti, Kenya will deploy 1000 police officers who will help train officers in the Caribbean country and also help guard critical infrastructure.
“At the request of the Friends of Haiti Group of Nations, Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti.
“Kenya’s commitment is to deploy a contingent of 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police in restoring normalcy in the country and protecting strategic installations.
“Kenya stands with persons of African descent across the world, including those in the Caribbean, and aligns with the African Union’s diaspora policy and our own commitment to Pan Africanism, and in this case to ‘reclaiming of the Atlantic crossing,'” Mutua said in a statement.
However, Kenya’s plan will be implemented once the proposal is given the green light by the United Nations.
“Kenya’s proposed deployment will crystalize once a mandate from the UN Security Council is obtained and other Kenyan constitutional processes are undertaken. An assessment mission by a task team of the Kenya Police is scheduled within the next few weeks.
“This assessment will inform and guide the mandate and operational requirements of the mission,” it added.
Sudan’s mediation process
A crisis has hit Sudan for months now, Kenya’s neighbour and a member of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and William Ruto’s government has been at the forefront looking for a lasting solution between two groups jostling for power.
“Kenya supports the various initiatives that aim to restore stability to the Republic of Sudan. To this end, we are engaged in coordinated action around three ongoing initiatives: IGAD, the Jeddah Process, and Sudan’s neighbours’ initiative.
“Harmonization and/or alignment of strategy between the various initiatives is vital for an effective solution. As chair of IGAD’s quartet, Kenya has this last week hosted a meeting of Permanent Secretaries of IGAD to review and come up with strategies for peaceful Sudan, amongst other issues,” Mutua’s statement stated.
The CS also said Kenya will continue to help in the mediation talks, although from a neutral position; “From a neutral position, we continue engaging with stakeholders from across the spectrum and will continue to urge demonstrations of strong solidarity with the people of Sudan,” the statement added.
On the conflict in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic, Kenya, according to the CS, is encouraged by the steps taken to realise peace in that region.
“As part of the East Africa solution, Kenya is encouraged by the tremendous steps made by the DRC government and all other players towards accelerating efforts to arrive at a peaceful and long-term resolution.
“We are fully supportive of the effort to align both the Nairobi and Luanda processes in order to find durable solutions to the current challenge and bring relief to the people of the region.
“Kenya will remain engaged in the process under the rubric of the East African Community because regional stability is integral to sustainable development,” the former Machakos Governor’s statement affirmed.
Kenya’s demands on Niger
A coup that took place in Niger is the latest crisis to hit Africa, and even President Ruto offered to mediate the crisis that saw the country’s leader toppled and power taken by military rulers. In regard to the Niger crisis, Kenya has made demands.
“Kenya condemns the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger by a military coup and demands his unconditional release. The Coup constitutes an egregious breach of the norms of the African Union, which prohibit unconstitutional changes of government.
“We urge all parties to de-escalate the situation and commence the process of restoring the democratic dispensation in this brotherly African nation,” the statement added.
