Kenya's foreign policy, alliances and global engagements.
Algeria’s reported efforts to strengthen its influence within the African Union Commission have exposed tensions at the top of the continental institution. According to insider reports, growing contest over senior appointments within the AU Commission is raising questions about the organisation’s independence and the 2029 leadership succession. A story by investigative publication Africa Intelligence on Tuesday reported
Kenya and Somalia’s Jubbaland administration are seeking closer security cooperation as Kenyan troops continue operations against al-Shabaab in southern Somalia. The latest engagement took place in Kismayo, where Deputy Commander of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Sector II, Colonel Daniel Musau, held talks with Jubbaland president Ahmed Mohamed. The talks
The killing of a 65-year-old Kenyan woman in Moyale has exposed the dangers of a conflict unfolding across the border, where a longstanding territorial dispute has forced thousands of Ethiopians to flee into Kenya. Amina Guchi was killed on Monday after being struck by a suspected stray bullet while at Marsabit County government offices, as
US President Donald Trump has moved to terminate Rwanda’s eligibility for duty-free access to the American market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act over the eastern DRC conflict and other concerns. In a letter dated October 28, addressed to President Paul Kagame, Trump gave Rwanda 60 days’ notice of his intention to withdraw the
Israel has moved to formalise diplomatic relations with Somaliland after its inaugural ambassador, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi. Lotem, who previously served in Nairobi, presented his credentials at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, marking a significant step in translating Israel’s recognition of Somaliland into formal diplomatic representation. However, while the
Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i has pledged to end the arrest and surrender of foreign opposition figures seeking refuge in Kenya, signalling a foreign policy shift that would seek to restore the country’s reputation as a defender of international law and regional stability. Matiang’i said no citizen of a neighbouring country would be arrested in
Western powers have condemned the pursuit of political power through violence by a new movement led by former DRC President Joseph Kabila. Through a joint statement circulated on Saturday, the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region comprising the US, the EU and nine other Western countries warned that political grievances cannot be resolved
Russia is moving into South Sudan’s oil industry through a proposed acquisition of Malaysian energy giant PETRONAS’s interests in two major oil-producing consortia. South Sudan and Russia signed preliminary agreements on October 29, paving the way for Russian state-owned oil company Zarubezhneft to take over the former PETRONAS stakes in the Dar Petroleum Operating Company
President William Ruto has invoked sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful settlement of disputes in Moscow, as Kenya seeks to deepen economic ties with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Addressing the Russia-Africa Summit, Ruto insisted that international relations must be guided by sovereign equality and mutual respect rather than military and economic power, in
Kenya has concluded months of diplomatic lobbying for Prof Phoebe Okowa’s re-election to the International Court of Justice for a full nine-year term. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said the campaign involved sustained outreach to United Nations member states, urging them to consider Okowa’s credentials and the principles that should guide the composition of
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula wants EAC leaders to reconsider two decisions affecting the remuneration and selection of East African Legislative Assembly members, warning their implementation could raise legal and constitutional questions. Wetang’ula urged the Bureau of EAC Speakers to recommend that the decisions, adopted by the Heads of State Summit on March 7, 2026,
The US has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a financial institution linked to the country’s security services over alleged support for the M23 rebel group and mineral smuggling from eastern DRC. The US Treasury Department on Wednesday, October 28, announced the measures targeting the Rwandan Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised African countries a partnership built around local mineral processing and job creation, seeking to position Moscow as an alternative to foreign powers competing for the continent’s strategic resources. Speaking at the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow on October 28, Putin accused Western countries of perpetuating exploitative economic
