Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
AU Heads of State and Government also appointed President Uhuru Kenyatta as the Coordinator of the Committee on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) for two years/PSCU

Africa

Kenya prioritizes Western Sahara, violent extremism in AU Security Council agenda

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 7 — Kenya has prioritized discussions on the contested Western Sahara territory in the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) with President Uhuru Kenyatta slated to host high-level talks on February 16.

The Western Sahara matter is highlighted among key issues President Kenyatta is expected to discuss with other Heads of State, the other being violent extremism according to a detailed work plan released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“A meeting at the Heads of State and Government level will be held on 16th February which among other things will discuss the situation in Western Sahara and follow up on the Nairobi declaration on Terrorism and Violent Extremism,” the ministry outlined in a detailed agenda document on Saturday.

The session of Western Sahara will seek to deescalate tension between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Sahrawi Republic, a semi-autonomous region that has been agitation for self-rule.

Morocco has in the past objected the push to have Western Sahara decide its future through a referendum.

Talks on the matter have however failed to yield consensus in the past despite Morocco having committed to open dialogue following its readmission to the African Union (AU) in January 2017 after a 33-year absence to protest the recognition of Western Sahara.

The Western Sahara question has threatened to destabilize the Kenya-Morocco ties in the past, the most significant incident occurring when Western Sahara opened an embassy in Kenya in February 2014.

Then Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro was dispatched to Morocco in a bid to resolve the emerging tiff.

The 15-member AU PSC which includes Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Malawi, Ethiopia and Algeria has been rooting for cessation of hostilities as a means to encourage dialogue.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Council has also supported UN-led mediation efforts as well as the UN Mission to Western Sahara to support peace efforts.

Difference between Morocco and Algeria have however threated to slow consensus on Western Sahara with Rabat accusing Algiers of meddling in its affairs.

Other issues expected to feature during Kenya’s presidency of the AU Security Council include urbanization with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb Raychelle Omamo set to convene a ministerial session on February 8.

“Selected special guests and relevant UN agencies will be invited to make statements during the discussions,” the Foreign Office said.

Omamo said the session will also discuss discussed regional security and explore solutions to the urban conflict.

“The objective of the discussion is to review new emerging international peace and security risks linked to growing inequalities across territories and within cities that are fueled by climate change, conflict over land, and economic disparities,” she said.

“Foreign ministers will also discuss the role that sustainable urbanization and effective cities and local governments can play in preventing escalation of conflicts, rebuilding the social contract, and preventing further displacement, extremism and proxy-wars,” the Foreign Office added.

Omamo’s session will also consider civil unrest in Sudan, the security situation in South Sudan as well an update on the status of consultations on AMISOM post 2021.

The UN extended AMISOM’s mandate to March 2022 after it lapsed in December 2021.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Security Council will discuss the proposed reconfiguration of the AU-led alliance tasked to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia and degrade its ability to stage terrorist incursions in the region.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News

NATIONAL NEWS

Amoth emphasized the importance of precautionary measures, including avoiding close contact with sick individuals, practicing respiratory and hand hygiene.

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – President William Ruto has officially flagged off this year’s World Rally Championship Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – The Ministry of Health has received a donation of 940 mobile tablets valued at 476,000 USD from the World...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 28 – The World Rally Championship will promote Kenya’s tourism sector and boost the hospitality industry, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has won the Best Quality Leadership Award 2024, which is bestowed by the...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) has launched the fourth strategic plan that aims at Improving the...

NATIONAL NEWS

Mbadi stated that it will be highly unlikely the political outfit to hold the exercise as the election coordinating committee has not been formed.

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – The government has released Sh30.5 billion for secondary school education capitation as well as loans and scholarships for university students....