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REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY AMB. MAURICE MAKOLOO AT THE RECEPTION HELD AT THE CHANCERY FOLLOWING THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO HIS EXCELLENCY DR. ALEXANDER VAN DER BELLEN, FEDERAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA. 20TH FEBRUARY 2024

You can download a PDF of the statement here: LINK

February 26th, 2024|

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE MARITIME DELIMITATION CASE (SOMALIA V KENYA) AT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE 15TH-24TH MARCH 2021

  1. Kenya has decided not to participate at the Maritime Delimitation Case (Somalia v Kenya) which is currently ongoing at the International Court of Justice. This decision is on account of procedural unfairness at the Court. It is a decision that was made after deep reflection and extensive consultation on how best to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya.

  2. In a letter to Mr. Philippe Gautier, the Registrar at the ICJ, Kenya re-affirmed that it was not properly before the court in accordance with its acceptance of the court’s jurisdiction. Kenya outlined that while it had no doubt about the merits of its case, procedural unfairness had left doubt on whether substantive justice would be done. Kenya re-stated that it should not have been dragged to the Court by Somalia merely because of the neighbor’s resurgent expansionist agenda. Kenya also noted that the composition of the membership of the bench conducting the case reinforced concerns of bias, citing the case of Somali Citizen, Judge Abdulqawi Yusuf, who sits on the ICJ and who has previously represented Somalia at the Third United Nations Conference on the law of the sea. At the conference the Judge stated that delimitation of the EEEZ and continental shelf should not be effected in accordance to the principle of equidistance but rather by application of equitable principles.

  3. Moreover, in affirming and imposing its jurisdiction on Kenya over this matter and failing to appreciate the full extent of Kenya’s reservations in its Optional Clause Declaration under Article 36(2) of the ICJ Statute, the Court, deprived the parties of the opportunity to have the dispute resolved in a suitable, non-adversarial manner, which, in fact Somalia had itself consented to under the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding, an instrument that the ICJ has affirmed as a valid treaty.

  4. Kenya has also informed the Court that influential third party commercial interests are fueling the case, that threatens to destabilize the peace and security of an already fragile region. The speed at which the matter was rushed before the Court and the players involved in this dispute, pointed to a well-orchestrated strategy of pitting the countries against each other in total disregard to the precarious security situation in the region. Influential third parties are intent on using instability in Somalia to advance predatory commercial interests with little regard to peace and security in the region.

  5. Kenya remains confident in its position that there is an existing maritime boundary that was established in 1979. The boundary as established has been respected by both Countries until 2014 when Somalia attempted to repudiate the agreement by dragging Kenya to the International Court of Justice seeking to appropriate Kenya’s maritime space.

  6. From the onset, Kenya has advocated for a diplomatic solution. Kenya’s preference for negotiation reflects the African Union Border Programme which encourages States to resolve disputes through bilateral negotiations or within the African Union Peace and Security architecture.

  7. Kenya has provided the Court with a comprehensive background to Kenya – Somalia relations underscoring Kenya’s longheld commitment to peaceful and friendly relations despite Somalia’s intransigence and territorial ambitions against Kenya. It undisputable that the Government and people of Kenya have made great sacrifices for their Somali neighbours. Kenya has provided humanitarian relief to hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees. Its military has protected the Somali Government from terrorists. The Somali Government was hosted in Nairobi for several years because of insecurity in Mogadishu. It enjoyed generous financial, diplomatic, and military support from Kenya. Its gradual return to Mogadishu was made possible thanks to the thousands of Kenyan and regional troops in the African Union Mission in Somalia (“AMISOM”).

  8. Hundreds of Kenyan civilians and security personnel, including a number of Kenyan soldiers, have lost their lives due to, or in the fight against, the Al Shabaab terrorist group. The Kenyan Navy has also played an active role against terrorist activity and piracy off the Somali coast. The UN and the African Union have recognized Kenya’s “huge” and “extraordinary sacrifice” in support of their Somalia.

  9. The Government and People of Kenya said feel betrayed that Somalia had brought the case before the ICJ after repudiating a maritime boundary that it had consented to for over 35 years. Somalia has incited hostility against Kenya, and actively contributed to the climate that encourages attacks against Kenyan civilians and against Kenyan forces in Somalia and even threatening their ability to continue to support AMISOM. Somalia has also undermined the fundamental need for stability and predictability of boundaries among States.

  10. Any consideration of this equidistant claim sets a dangerous precedent as it will not only reward Somalia’s belligerent conduct but also has the potential of disturbing already established boundaries.

  11. Kenya’s concerns have also been exacerbated by previous decisions taken by the Court which has created a perception of unfairness and injustice towards Kenya including amendment by the Court to its rules to allow for hearings to be conducted via video link without consultation of member states prior to the issuance of the hearing dates for this case. Kenya has consistently communicated to the Court its reasons for seeking a deferment of the case including the COVID-19 pandemic conditions that hampered Kenya’s ability to prepare adequately for the hearing.

  12. The COVID19 pandemic struck when Kenya had just recruited a new legal team. As such, Kenya and its legal team have not had an opportunity to have preparatory meetings and engagements. The court has failed to appreciate that Kenya is exactly where it was at the beginning of 2020 with regard to its compilation of its international legal team. Without such necessary preparations, Kenya is of the considered view that any participation in the hearing will be nothing more than a perfunctory, cosmetic and symbolic exercise. The seriousness of the case requires proper and adequate preparation. In Kenya’s view, it would be ill-advised for it to participate in a complex case with far-reaching consequences, without such proper and adequate preparation. These and other related matters have forced Kenya to stand back from the court and to continue to insist that the resolution of this border dispute belongs in its rightful place on the bilateral and or continental platform.

  13. It is in view of the foregoing well elucidated reasons that Kenya reached the decision not to participate in the hearings and remains steadfast that this dispute should be withdrawn from the Court and resolved through bilateral negotiations. Kenya also expects Somalia to normalize its relations with Kenya following their unprovoked and unjustified decision to sever diplomatic relations with its neighbour. Somalia has to normalize its relations with Kenya before it can engage on any platform anywhere in the world with any person and or agent of Kenya through any proxy.

  14. Kenya has informed the Court that any insistence on its participation in the proceedings, defeats Kenya’s right to a fair hearing. Kenya has collected, and continues to collect substantial additional evidence in this matter. Such evidence will be of value only if Kenya is given ample opportunity to prepare it for proper and effective presentation to the Court. The current timelines – and in the context of the pandemic – have not afforded Kenya such an opportunity.

18th March, 2021

March 20th, 2021|

LAUNCH OF UNIDO PCP SELF-STARTER FOR KENYA

The Republic of Kenya and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) jointly launched the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) Self-Starter for Kenya on Friday 22nd January, 2021. The virtual event was graced H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Mr. Li Yong, the Director General of UNIDO.

The PCP Self-Starter for Kenya, the first of its kind will see the Government of Kenya take a leading role in the entire PCP process from design to implementation.

In his statement, H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta noted that the event marked a milestone in the partnership between Kenya and UNIDO, which is an important step towards accelerating Industrial transformation of Kenya’s economy. The President also informed that Kenya opted for this UNIDO’s innovative model, to accelerate inclusive and sustainable Industrial development, having noted its success in other countries that have chosen this path. Full Statement >>Click Here

In his remarks, the Director General Mr. Li Yong, emphasized that the PCP self-starter would facilitate further acceleration of the Government’s industrialization agenda and support the recovery of the manufacturing sector and supply chains from adverse COVID-19-related impacts. The DG also confirmed UNIDO’s commitment to support Kenya to fully implement the PCP, through the provision of technical assistance and advisory services through a multi-disciplinary team of experts.

The Director General also highlighted that the launch of the PCP Self-Starter was timely as it came at a time when Africa has launched the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which creates a continental market that benefits from the economies of scale, and has immense benefits that will ultimately enhance sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. Link to UNIDO >> Launch of Kenya PCP self-starter | UNIDO

Ms. Betty Maina, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Trade, Industrialization and Enterprise Development of the Republic of Kenya; Dr. Francis Owino, Principal Secretary State Department for Industrialization Kenya; Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Kenya; Ms. Kawira Bucyana, Officer in-Charge of the UNIDO Country Office in Kenya; Amb. Robinson Njeru Githae, Permanent Representative/Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya in Vienna; Amb. Stella Mokaya Orina, Deputy Permanent Representative/Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenyain Vienna, were among the officials who participated in the launch.

 

January 26th, 2021|

AMB. (DR.) AMINA C. MOHAMED’S CANDIDATURE FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

On 7th July, 2020, The Government of the Republic of Kenya nominated Ambassador (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed, EGH, CAV, for appointment to the post of Director-General of World Trade Organization (WTO).

Ambassador Amina Mohamed has a wealth of experience with the WTO and the multilateral trading system, combined with an extensive track record in international relations. She has chaired all the key high-level WTO decision-making bodies, thus gaining a deep understanding of the range of concerns and issues across the WTO membership.

In addition, Ambassador Amina Mohamed chaired the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, the first to be held in Africa, and steered it to a successful conclusion. She is the current President of the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and former Assistant Secretary General & Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Ambassador Amina Mohamed is a widely acknowledged astute Diplomat, having served as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to United Nations in Geneva, and as a Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya. She has also held other Ministerial portfolios and currently is the Minister for Sports, Culture and Heritage. Ambassador Amina Mohamed is therefore distinctly qualified to serve as the WTO Director-General. She has the vision and capacity to unite all WTO members in pursuit of their common interests. Her leadership at the WTO will be a game changer that will enable this important institution to meet the requirements of its members and better address the evolving demands of the 21st Century.

Click here for Official Campaign Website

September 17th, 2020|

Following the suspension of all scheduled and non-scheduled passenger flights in and out of Nairobi FIR due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of the Republic of Kenya has given the following directives in resumption of international flights on 1st August, 2020.

  1. All arriving passengers on international flights from the list of approved States whose body temperature is NOT above 37.5° C (99.5°F); do not have a persistent cough, difficulty in breathing or other flu-like symptoms; have negative PCR based COVID-19 test carried out within 96 hours before travel will be exempted from quarantine. The list of approved States whose travellers are exempt from quarantine can be accessed in the KCAA website: https://www.kcaa.or.ke/quarantine-exempted-states and will be reviewed as necessary to accommodate changes communicated by the approving Authority.

  2. The mandatory Ministry of Health Travellers Health Surveillance online Form must be filled and submitted prior to travel. The online form should be accessed from the Ministry of Health website: https://bit.ly/COVID19 MOH

  3. All crew shall be exempt from quarantine after operating any flight if their body temperature is not above 37.5° C (99.5°F); do not exhibit symptoms of COVID–19 and there is no suspected case of COVID-19 on their flight. With a suspected case of COVID-19 on the flight, the crew shall be quarantined at home or designated facility. If results are negative they shall be allowed to resume normal duties.

  4. The air operators shall be responsible for ensuring proper screening, medical briefing and reporting any cases to the relevant authorities

  5. For those passengers traveling out of the country, they will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country;

  6. Passengers arriving on flights after the curfew, with a valid Air Ticket and Boarding Pass shall be allowed to proceed to their hotels and/or residences;

  7. Drivers should have evidence that they have come from the Airport to drop or pick up passengers;

  8. Passengers departing on flights after the curfew, with a valid Air Ticket and Boarding Pass shall be allowed to proceed to their departure airport;

  9. Air Operators shall provide guidance material to passengers regarding application of the preventive measures on board;

  10. Where physical distancing cannot be guaranteed because of the seat configuration or other operational constraints, the crew members will make constant on-board announcements reminding passengers to adhere at all times to all the other preventive measures including strict hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette and should wear a surgical face mask. In addition, other measures such as cabin high efficiency particulate filters (HEPA) where available will be employed.

  11. Kenya Airports Authority, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works is reviewing frequency and timing of flights to facilitate physical distancing at the Airports.

AIC 19/20 (White 216) is hereby cancelled

 

July 12th, 2020|

for more information click here

June 17th, 2020|

KEŇA PRISPEJE SVOJIMI BOHATÝMI SKÚSENOSŤAMI V BEZPEČNOSTNEJ RADE OSN

Na nasledujúci deň bude Keňa súperiť o jedno z piatich voľných miest vyhradených pre nestálych členov Bezpečnostnej rady OSN. Keňa bola navrhnutá po jednoznačnom schválení Africkou úniou v auguste 2019, ktoré bolo opätovným vyjadrením dôvery, ktorú má Africká únia vo vedúcu pozíciu Kene pri presadzovaní záujmov afrického kontinentu v Bezpečnostnej rade.

Keňa je známa vďaka mnohým veciam: je kolískou archeológie ľudstva; mnoho jej bežcov na strednú a dlhú vzdialenosť dominuje na svetovej športovej scéne už desaťročia; a jej turistické atrakcie, medzi ktoré patrí veľká migrácia pakoní každý rok vo Východoafrickej priekopovej prepadline v Masai Mara v Keni, rozsiahle pláže a hornatá krajina, sú pravdepodobne neprekonateľné. Okrem tohto a mnoho iného táto krajina vyniká ako globálny mysliteľ a presadzovateľ pri podporovaní regionálneho a globálneho konsenzu v otázkach medzinárodného záujmu.

Keňa po svojom schválení ako kandidáta Africkej únie uskutočnila kampaň založenú na „desaťbodovej agende“. Táto agenda sa zameriava na regionálne a globálne záujmy, ktoré krajina obhajuje, konkrétne na: budovanie mostov; operácie na udržanie a podporu mieru; regionálny mier a bezpečnosť; boj proti terorizmu a predchádzanie extrémizmu; ženy, mier a bezpečnosť; posilnenie postavenia mládeže; humanitárne akcie; spravodlivosť, ľudské práva a demokracia; životné prostredie a zmena klímy; a ciele trvalo udržateľného rozvoja.

Agenda „budovania mostov“ rezonuje na vnútroštátnej úrovni pri prehlbovaní nášho demokratického kreditu a pri zabezpečení mieru počas politickej transformácie a volieb. Táto agenda je dnes mimoriadne dôležitá, pretože svet potrebuje mnohostranný konsenzus v boji proti celosvetovej pandémii COVID-19 a jej nepriaznivým účinkom.

Prezident Uhuru Kenyatta, ktorý je súčasným predsedom skupiny afrických, karibských a tichomorských štátov a členom predsedníctva hláv štátov a vlád Africkej únie, bol v popredí pri zapájaní svetových lídrov a inštitúcií do hľadania riešení pre opatrenia zamerané na spoločnú reakciu. Počas svojho pôsobenia v BR OSN Keňa bude uplatňovať prístup, ktorý zabezpečí dosiahnutie svetového mieru, bezpečnosti a trvalo udržateľného rozvoja.

Keňa mala vedúcu úlohu pri podpore inkluzívneho a trvalo udržateľného rozvoja v Afrike aj mimo nej. Spolu s Írskom zabezpečila proces programu rozvoja po roku 2015, ktorý viedol k prijatiu programu trvalo udržateľného rozvoja do roku 2030. Keňa vo svojej krajine dosiahla významný pokrok pri plnení cieľov trvalo udržateľného rozvoja, ktoré boli vytvorené aj počas jej spolu predsedníctva, uznávajúc, že trvalo udržateľný rozvoj a mier a bezpečnosť sú vzájomne závislé.

V Afrike je Keňa „bezpečným prístavom“ a garantom regionálneho mieru a bezpečnosti. Keňa výrazne prispela k procesu, ktorý viedol k podpísaniu komplexnej mierovej dohody, známej aj ako „dohoda z Naivaše“ v roku 2005 medzi vládou Sudánu a Ľudovým liberálnym hnutím Sudánu. Zohrala tiež kľúčovú úlohu v somálskom mierovom procese a naďalej podporuje Južný Sudán a Somálsko v ich úsilí pri budovaní mieru a budovaní štátu.

Keňa sa okrem toho zúčastnila na mierových misiách v 40 krajinách a vedie jedno z najväčších a najstarších centier odbornej prípravy v oblasti udržiavania mieru na kontinente; Medzinárodné centrum odbornej prípravy v oblasti udržiavania mieru. Okrem toho je Keňa vynikajúcim príkladom progresívneho dosahovania rodovej rovnosti pri podpore mieru, kedy má jedno z najvyšších percent žien – dôstojníčok, ktoré slúžia v mierových misiách. Počas svojho funkčného obdobia ako nestály člen BR OSN sa Keňa bude snažiť energicky presadzovať podporu agendy žien, mieru a bezpečnosti.

Počas mnohých rokov sa Keňa, ktorá je domovom prof. Wangari Maathaiovej – prvej africkej laureátky Nobelovej ceny mieru, dlho a úspešne zúčastňovala na zachovaní a ochrane životného prostredia. Je prvým východoafrickým štátom, ktorý vytvoril právny rámec pre zmenu klímy vo forme zákonov zameraných na boj proti rozvoju vysokých emisií uhlíka a na zákaz jednorazových plastov. Keňa využije svoje skúsenosti a postavenie ako hostiteľská krajina v rámci Programu OSN pre životné prostredie, aby poskytla nový impulz a podporu pre globálnu environmentálnu agendu.

Pokiaľ ide o humanitárne opatrenia, Keňa preukázala svoj záväzok usilovať sa o mier tým, že poskytla útočisko pre viac ako 600 000 utečencov, ktorí utekali pred konfliktom a nestabilitou v Somálsku, v Južnom Sudáne a v ďalších častiach Afriky a dokonca aj v ďalších krajinách. Z toho dôvodu je kenská ústava z roku 2010 jedným z najtransformatívnejších a najprogresívnejších dokumentov o africkom kontinente založených na zárukách základných ľudských práv a právomocí, ktoré poskytuje občanom pri určovaní spôsobu, akým majú byť vedení.

Jednou z najvýznamnejších hrozieb pre bezpečnosť Kene je terorizmus a násilný extrémizmus. Okrem opatrení na boj proti terorizmu na vnútroštátnej úrovni bola Keňa neoddeliteľnou súčasťou regionálneho a globálneho úsilia, najmä pri zavádzaní represívnych opatrení na zničenie teroristických sietí bez ohľadu na to, kde sa nachádzajú. Keňa bude aktívne pokračovať v tejto agende v Rade s cieľom vytvoriť prostredie na dosiahnutie dlhodobého a udržateľného mieru a rozvoja.

Z tohto súboru záruk je zrejmé, že Keňa má bohaté skúsenosti, ktoré by využila vo funkcii nestáleho člena Bezpečnostnej rady OSN.

 

Amb. Raychelle Omamo, SC, EGH
tajomníčka kabinetu pre zahraničné veci Kene

NEWS LINK

https://www.ta3.com/clanok/1185456/kena-prispeje-v-bezpecnostnej-rade-osn-svojimi-bohatymi-skusenostami.html

June 15th, 2020|

H.E. Amb. Robinson Njeru Githae, presenting credentials to the IAEA Director-General, H.E. Rafael Mariano Grossi

 

June 14th, 2020|

KENIA WILL SEINEN REICHEN ERFAHRUNGSSCHATZ IN DEN UN-SICHERHEITSRAT EINBRINGEN

In knapp einem Monat stellt sich Kenia der Wahl um einen der fünf freien Plätze, die nichtständigen Mitgliedern des UN-Sicherheitsrates vorbehalten sind. Kenias Kandidatur folgt auf eine durchschlagende Unterstützung durch die Afrikanische Union im August 2019; eine Bestätigung des Vertrauens der Union in die Führung Kenias, die Interessen des Kontinents im Rat zu verfolgen.

Kenia ist für vieles bekannt: Es ist die archäologische Wiege der Menschheit; seine lange Reihe an Mittel- und Langstreckenläufern dominiert seit Jahrzehnten die weltweite Leichtathletikszene; und seine Touristenattraktionen, zu denen die alljährliche große Gnu-Wanderung, das Great Rift Valley, die Maasaii Mara, die ausgedehnten Strände und die bergige Landschaft gehören, sind  vermutlich konkurrenzlos. Zusätzlich zu diesen und vielen anderen Faktoren zeichnet sich das Land als globaler Vordenker und Vorkämpfer für einen regionalen und globalen Konsens in Fragen von internationaler Bedeutung aus.

Nach seiner Befürwortung als Kandidat der Afrikanischen Union hat Kenia eine Kampagne auf der Grundlage einer “Zehn-Punkte-Agenda” geführt. Die Agenda konzentriert sich auf regionale und globale Anliegen, für die sich das Land einsetzt, nämlich: Brücken bauen, friedenserhaltende und unterstützende Operationen, regionaler Frieden und regionale Sicherheit, Terrorismusbekämpfung und Prävention von Extremismus, Frauen, Frieden und Sicherheit, Stärkung der Rolle der Jugend, humanitäre Maßnahmen, Gerechtigkeit, Menschenrechte und Demokratie, Umwelt und Klimawandel sowie nachhaltige Entwicklungsziele.

Die Agenda “Brücken bauen” findet auf innenpolitischer Ebene Widerhall in der Vertiefung unseres demokratischen Ansehens bei gleichzeitiger Sicherung des Friedens im Zuge politischer Übergänge und Wahlen. Diese Agenda ist gerade heute von besonderer Relevanz, da die Welt einen multilateralen Konsens zur globalen COVID-19-Pandemie und ihren negativen Auswirkungen benötigt.

Präsident Uhuru Kenyatta, der derzeitige Vorsitzende der Organisation der afrikanischen, karibischen und pazifischen Staaten sowie Mitglied des Büros der Staats- und Regierungschefs der Afrikanischen Union, war an vorderster Front dabei, führende Politiker und Institutionen der Welt dazu zu bewegen, Lösungen für konzertierte Gegenmaßnahmen anzubieten. Während seiner Amtszeit im UN-Sicherheitsrat wird Kenia einen Ansatz verfolgen, der die Verwirklichung von Weltfrieden, Sicherheit und nachhaltiger Entwicklung gewährleistet.

Kenia hat bei der Förderung einer integrativen und nachhaltigen Entwicklung in Afrika und darüber hinaus eine führende Rolle gespielt. Es unterstützte gemeinsam mit Irland den Prozess der Entwicklungsagenda für die Zeit nach 2015, der zur Annahme der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung führte. Innenpolitisch hat Kenia erhebliche Fortschritte bei der Verwirklichung der SDGs gemacht, die ebenfalls unter seinem Co-Vorsitz entwickelt wurden; dabei wurde anerkannt, dass nachhaltige Entwicklung, Frieden und Sicherheit einander gegenseitig bedingen.

In Afrika ist Kenia ein Ankerstaat und Garant für Frieden und Sicherheit in der Region. Kenia leistete einen immensen Beitrag zu dem Prozess, der 2005 zur Unterzeichnung des Umfassenden Friedensabkommens, auch bekannt als “Naivasha-Abkommen”, zwischen der Regierung des Sudan und der Sudanesischen Volksbefreiungsbewegung führte. Es spielte auch eine Schlüsselrolle im somalischen Friedensprozess und unterstützt weiterhin den Südsudan und Somalia in ihren Bemühungen um Frieden und Staatsaufbau.

Darüber hinaus hat Kenia an Friedensmissionen in 40 Ländern teilgenommen und betreibt eines der größten und ältesten Ausbildungszentren für Friedenssicherung auf dem Kontinent, das International Peace Support Training Center. Darüber hinaus ist Kenia ein hervorragendes Beispiel für die fortschreitende Verwirklichung der Gleichstellung der Geschlechter bei der Friedenssicherung, da es einen der höchsten Prozentsätze weiblicher Offiziere in Friedensmissionen aufweist. Kenia beabsichtigt, die Förderung der Frauen-, Friedens- und Sicherheitsagenda während seiner Amtszeit als nichtständiges Mitglied des UN-Sicherheitsrates energisch voranzutreiben.

Im Laufe der Jahre hat Kenia, in dem die verstorbene Prof. Wangari Maathai – die erste afrikanische Friedensnobelpreisträgerin – lebte, eine lange und bedeutende Tradition im Natur- und Umweltschutz. Es ist die erste ostafrikanische Nation, die einen Rechtsrahmen für den Klimawandel mit Gesetzen gegen die Entwicklung hoher Kohlenstoffemissionen und einem Verbot von Einwegkunststoffen geschaffen hat. Kenia wird seine Erfahrungen und seine Position als Gastgeberland für das Umweltprogramm der Vereinten Nationen nutzen, um der globalen Umweltagenda neuen Schwung und Unterstützung zu verleihen.

Im Bereich der humanitären Hilfe hat Kenia sein Engagement für den Frieden unter Beweis gestellt, indem es mehr als 600.000 Flüchtlingen, die vor Konflikten und Instabilität in Somalia, dem Südsudan und anderen Teilen Afrikas, aber auch in weiter entfernten Gebieten fliehen, einen Zufluchtsort geboten. Umgekehrt ist die kenianische Verfassung von 2010 eines der transformativsten und fortschrittlichsten Dokumente auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent, da sie grundlegende Menschenrechte garantiert und den Bürgern die Möglichkeit gibt, selbst zu bestimmen, wie sie geführt werden sollen.

Eine der größten Bedrohungen für die Sicherheit Kenias sind Terrorismus und gewalttätiger Extremismus. Abgesehen von Maßnahmen zur Terrorismusbekämpfung auf innerstaatlicher Ebene war Kenia ein integraler Bestandteil regionaler und globaler Bemühungen, insbesondere bei der Einführung von Strafmaßnahmen zur Zerschlagung terroristischer Netzwerke, wo immer sie sich befinden. Kenia wird diese Agenda im Rat energisch vorantreiben, um ein Umfeld zu schaffen, in dem dauerhafter und nachhaltiger Frieden sowie Entwicklung erreicht werden kann.

Mit diesem Mandat ist es offensichtlich, dass Kenia über einen reichen Erfahrungsschatz verfügt, den es als nichtständiges Mitglied des UN-Sicherheitsrates einbringen würde.

Botschafterin Raychelle Omamo, SC, EGH
Außenministerin der Republik Kenia

June 10th, 2020|

KENYA SET TO CONTRIBUTE ITS WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE INTO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

In just under a month, Kenya will be on the ballot for one of the five vacant slots reserved for non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Kenya’s bid follows a resounding endorsement by the African Union in August 2019; a reaffirmation of the trust the Union has in Kenya’s leadership to pursue the continent’s interests in the Council.

Kenya is renowned for many things: it is the archeological cradle of mankind; its galaxy of middle and long distance runners have dominated the world athletics scene for decades; and, its tourist attractions, that includes the great annual wildebeest migration, the Great Rift Valley, the Maasaii Mara, the expansive beaches and mountainous landscape, are, probably, unrivalled. In addition to these and many others is that the country stands out as a global thought leader and a champion for galvanizing regional and global consensus on matters of international concern.

Following its endorsement as African Union’s candidate, Kenya has run a campaign based on a “Ten Point Agenda”. The Agenda focuses on regional and global concerns that the country champions, namely: building bridges; peace keeping and support operations; regional peace and security; countering terrorism and prevention of extremism; women, peace and security; youth empowerment; humanitarian action; justice, human rights and democracy; environment and climate change; and, sustainable development goals.

The ‘building bridges’ agenda resonates at the domestic level in deepening our democratic credentials while securing the peace during political transitions and elections. This agenda is particularly relevant today as the world needs multilateral consensus the global COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects.

President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the current President of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and a member of the Bureau of African Union Heads of State and Government has been at the forefront engaging world leaders and institutions in proffering solutions for concerted response measures. During its tenure in the UNSC, Kenya will pursue an approach that ensures the achievement of world peace, security and sustainable development.

Kenya has played a leading role in promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and beyond. It co-facilitated with Ireland the post-2015 Development Agenda Process leading to adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Domestically, Kenya has made substantial progress towards the achievement of SDGs, also developed under its co-chairpersonship, recognizing that sustainable development and peace and security are mutually dependent.

In Africa, Kenya is an anchor state and guarantor of regional peace and security. Kenya made immense contributions in the process leading to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement also known as the “Naivasha Agreement” in 2005 between the Government of the Sudan the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. It also played a key role in the Somali peace process and continues to support South Sudan and Somalia in their peace and state building efforts.

Additionally, Kenya has taken part in peace missions across 40 countries and runs one of the largest and oldest peacekeeping training centers on the continent; the International Peace Support Training Center. Further, Kenya stands out as an excellent example for the progressive achievement of gender equality in peace keeping, having one of the highest percentage of female officers serving in peacekeeping missions. Kenya intends to vigorously pursue the promotion of the women, peace and security agenda during its tenure as non-permanent member of the UNSC.

Over the years, Kenya, which was home to the late Prof. Wangari Maathai – the first African Woman Nobel Peace Laureate- has a long and distinguished tradition in conservation and environmental protection. It is the first East African nation to establish a legal framework on climate change with laws against high carbon development and a ban on single-use plastic. Kenya will leverage on her experience and position as host country for the United Nations Environmental Programme to give a fresh momentum and support to the global environmental agenda.

On humanitarian action, Kenya has demonstrated its commitment to standing for peace by providing a haven for over 600,000 refugees fleeing conflict and instability in Somalia, South Sudan and other parts of Africa and indeed further afield. By the same token, the 2010 Kenyan Constitution is one of the most transformative and progressive documents on the African continent based on its guarantees of basic human rights and the power it gives citizens to determine how they are to be led.

One of the most significant threats to Kenya’s security has been terrorism and violent extremism. Apart from counter terrorism measures at the domestic level, Kenya has been an integral part of regional and global efforts particularly in putting in place punitive measures to dismantle terrorist networks wherever they are. Kenya will vigorously pursue this agenda in the Council with a view to creating an environment for the achievement of long-lasting and sustainable peace and development.

With this set of credentials, it is evident that Kenya has a wealth of experience that it would bring to bear as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

 

Amb. Raychelle Omamo, SC, EGH
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary

June 9th, 2020|