Kenya has welcomed the UN Resolution passed on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza.
Kenya Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary on Monday said the UN resolution was a huge step in halting the destruction in Gaza.
“The decision by the UNSC demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is a most welcome development adherence to which will silence the guns and bombings, and halt the wanton destruction and loss of lives,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
In the vote, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2728 tabled by its 10 non-permanent members by a vote of 14 in favour to none against, with the US abstaining in a major policy shift in its stance on Gaza War.
The UN resolution was passed after disagreement in the Council on several rounds of drafts, which had been quashed by one or more of its five veto-wielding permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) since the war began in October.
Last month, outgoing Kenya Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Martin Kimani called on the UN Security Council to intensify mediation efforts on Gaza, noting that frequent inability to act on the most pressing matters shows the urgent need for the reform of the Security Council.
Kenya stands in solidarity with the besieged people of Ukraine and Gaza, and the Israeli victims of the 7th October Hamas terrorist attacks. We condemn aggression, terrorism, and the flouting of international humanitarian law and urge for mediation based on UN principles,” Ambassador Kimani said.
He was speaking at the UNGA 57th Plenary meeting on agenda Item 62- Situation in The Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine.
KENYA INITIAL STANCE
Kenya, like the US, has changed its initial stance, initially saying it stood with Israel following the October 7 attack by Hamas.
President William Ruto at the time condemned the attack, noting that Kenya doesn’t support terrorism
“Kenya joins the rest of the world in solidarity with the State of Israel and unequivocally condemn terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians in the country,” he said in a statement.
He said Kenya strongly maintains that there exists no justification whatsoever for terrorism, which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security.
“”All acts of terrorism and violent extremism are abhorrent, criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of the perpetrator, or their motivations,” Ruto said.
“In consideration of the complex and delicate context of the security situation in Israel-Palestine, Kenya also makes a call for the de-escalation of violence and urges all parties to restrain from further military action, given its potential to intensify carnage and the suffering of innocent civilians, and to trigger heightened tension in the region and beyond,” he added.
A month later in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Ruto appeared to change tune, saying Kenya not only condemns terrorism but also abhors illegal occupation, which Israel has long been accused of.
“We believe that Palestine should be a free state, and we stand for a two-state solution as a means of resolving the conflict,” President Ruto said at the Saudi-Africa Summit.
REACTIONS
Following the vote, US Ambassador and Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that in adopting the resolution, the Security Council “spoke out in support” of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring about an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, secure the immediate release of all hostages and help alleviate the tremendous suffering of Palestinian civilians in need in Gaza.
The efforts are led by the Washington, Qatar and Egypt.
“The United States fully supports these critical objectives,” she said.
“In fact, they were the foundation of the resolution we put forward last week – a resolution that Russia and China vetoed.”
Noting US support for the vote “is not simply rhetorical”, Thomas-Greenfield said they are “working around the clock to make them real on the ground, through diplomacy”.
But Israel was livid, losing support of its closet and last ally in the the council as far as the call for ceasefire is concerned.
Israel Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan said the draft’s lack of condemnation of Hamas was “a disgrace”.
In Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in light of the change in the US position, he had decided decided to cancel a trip by an Israeli delegation to Washington.
