Raila Odinga denied having attacked President Ruto’s decision to rescind recognition of pseudo-SADR
Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio La Umoja Coalition and main challenger of William Ruto in the latest Kenyan presidential election, denied reports alleging that he had attacked the Kenyan president’s decision to revoke recognition of the so-called SADR.
“The reports that I attacked Ruto’s decision to review Kenya’s policy on the polisario are erroneous,” wrote the former Kenyan Prime Minister on his official twitter account.
Odinga, who won 48.85% of the votes in the latest presidential election, added that he never mentioned polisario, stressing that he knows the importance of relations between Kenya and Morocco, which he described as “beneficial.”
After King Mohammed VI’s congratulations to William Ruto, Kenya decided not to recognize the pseudo-SADR. It also initiated steps to close its representation in Nairobi.
A joint statement, parts of which were posted on the website of the State House of Kenya, following the delivery, last Wednesday, of the royal message to the Kenyan head of state, said “out of respect for the principle of territorial integrity and non-interference, Kenya fully supports the serious and credible autonomy plan proposed by the Kingdom of Morocco, as the only solution based on the territorial integrity of Morocco,” to resolve the Sahara dispute.
“Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to achieve a lasting and permanent political solution to the dispute over the Sahara issue,” the joint statement said.
King Mohammed VI, in his message, felicitated Mr. William Samoei Ruto, the 5th President, Kenya, and welcomed the peaceful conduct of democratic elections in the country’s August 2022. He also stressed that these deadlines consolidate Kenya’s position as a beacon country for democracy at the continental level.
The Sovereign also appreciated the promise by the Kenyan President of strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between his nation and various African states.
For his part, President Ruto praised King Mohammed VI’s leadership in promoting policies for tolerance at the Maghreb level, as well its contribution to world security and peace.
He also expressed his willingness to work with the Sovereign in strengthening relations between the two countries. The statement stated that both countries are committed to increasing their bilateral diplomatic relations to strategic partnership in six months. It also stated that the Republic of Kenya is determined to open its Embassy in Rabat.
It was also agreed to accelerate economic and trade relations between both countries, especially in the areas of fishing and agriculture (import of fertilers).
The areas of cooperation include tourism, security collaboration, health, and renewable energy. There will also be cultural, religious, and people-to-people interactions.
Kenya is one the most powerful African nations, especially in East Africa. Kenya is currently a member non-permanent of the UN Security Council. This council is about to vote on the Sahara issue on October 27.
The Kenyan government, which had been a supporter of the Polisario, made this decision. It is important in more ways than one. It confirms the momentum achieved by Moroccan diplomacy, and it deals a severe blow to the separatists as well as their sponsors.
This new setback replaces separatist front in its true dimension: an agent serving the Algerian junta.
Source: north africa post
Follow us on:
YOUTUBE FACEBOOK TELEGRAM GOOGLE NEWS TWITTER INSTAGRAM PINTEREST
Subscribe and Follow us via Email
If you have any comment regarding this article contact us at contact@ethiopianstoday.com
