Kabaridi
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 15, 2011
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- 534
Kenya will not be sending troops to the troubled South Sudan despite a request from the United Nations.
Foreign Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed Wednesday told reporters that Kenya had been approached to help boost the more than 5,500 soldiers needed to guard peace in the neighbouring country.
But the government, taking a neutral view on the conflict, said it would not send its soldiers after all. It would instead opt to contribute to the solution through diplomatic means.
The UN Security council has approached several countries Kenya and Rwanda among them to contribute 5500 peacekeeping force, she told reporters during the signing of her ministrys performance contracts.
Some countries have already agreed to provide troops to South Sudan, others are still considering the provision of those troops. Kenya supports the implementation of the Security Council but is unlikely to send its troops.
The admission from the minister arose from a question on whether the decision by Uganda to deploy its troops to Juba was affecting the nascent peace talks in the worlds youngest nation.
But Ms Mohamed told reporters Ugandas move had been sanctioned by both the government of South Sudan and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), the body that has been midwifing the talks; to protect installations in South Sudan.
(Read: Uganda fights in South Sudan as rebellion rages)
It was agreed that it would provide an opportunity to take humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. It as very difficult for the first few days to find a flight to take humanitarian assistance, she argued. But Uganda has since been accused by the rebel side of siding with the South Sudanese government and fighting alongside the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA).
Igad did not allow anybody to fight alongside south Sudanese army. Igad agreed to the protection of installations and to allow humanitarian assistance. So, you cannot say that Igad allowed foreign troops in South Sudan. All the participating countries are members of Igad.
The UN Security Council passed a resolution in December last year to boost the presence of peace keepers several days after the country descended into chaos.
Normally, the National Security Council, upon the approval of the National Assembly, deploys Kenyan troops outside its borders for peace, support operations or any other missions allowed by the law.
But the government quickly added that while it supports the resolution, Kenyas participation will not be by sending its military.
Kenya will not send troops to South Sudan but supports the UN Security Council Resolution, Foreign Affairs later said.
On Thursday, Igad cancelled an urgent meeting it had planned for Juba but said it was hopeful that South Sudans warring parties will end their conflict and cease hostilities.
Igad Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim claimed negotiations were going well in Addis Ababa as shuttle diplomacy by mediators continued to have fighting stop.
We hope there is going to be a cessation of hostilities and find a way to deal with people who have been displaced since the fight began, he said on the sidelines of a conference information access for improving disaster risks reduction in the Horn of Africa, in Nairobi.
The meeting which had been scheduled for Thursday was to discuss the foreign intervention in South Sudan, beside the efforts of how to convene the warring parties to cease hostilities.
Bringing an end to the fatal altercation between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar should be a priority for the Eastern African region. The conflict in Africas youngest nation threatens stability in East Africa directly. For instance, just when Kenya is being relieved of the burden of hosting Somali refugees, who are now returning home, reports indicate South Sudan asylum seekers are knocking on the Kakuma refugee camp doors and other places. This is a sad state of affairs given the humanitarian aid needed. Already, Kenyans in Turkana County are facing hunger and need urgent relief supplies. The influx of South Sudanese refugees will only worsen the situation. Currently, Kenya is grappling with a huge number of Somalis living in Kenya illegally. It is, therefore, critical for regional governments to support a peaceful resolution to the Juba conflict. Kenyas and Sudans decision not to send troops to the conflict is commendable as President Uhuru Kenyatta pursues dialogue with the warring sides. IGAD and other regional governments must encourage non-military intervention at this stage. Joining the fray on either side of the conflict will only exacerbate a dicey situation. We also urge President Kiir and Dr Machar to put the interest of their countrys future ahead of their own or that of their cronies. Civil war only dents and scars the process of nation building that had only just been started. The two must come down from the high ground and meet each other half way. Failure to do so will only lead to more anarchy and destruction.
Read more at: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Why region can?t afford unstable South Sudan
Bringing an end to the fatal altercation between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar should be a priority for the Eastern African region. The conflict in Africas youngest nation threatens stability in East Africa directly. For instance, just when Kenya is being relieved of the burden of hosting Somali refugees, who are now returning home, reports indicate South Sudan asylum seekers are knocking on the Kakuma refugee camp doors and other places. This is a sad state of affairs given the humanitarian aid needed. Already, Kenyans in Turkana County are facing hunger and need urgent relief supplies. The influx of South Sudanese refugees will only worsen the situation. Currently, Kenya is grappling with a huge number of Somalis living in Kenya illegally. It is, therefore, critical for regional governments to support a peaceful resolution to the Juba conflict. Kenyas and Sudans decision not to send troops to the conflict is commendable as President Uhuru Kenyatta pursues dialogue with the warring sides. IGAD and other regional governments must encourage non-military intervention at this stage. Joining the fray on either side of the conflict will only exacerbate a dicey situation. We also urge President Kiir and Dr Machar to put the interest of their countrys future ahead of their own or that of their cronies. Civil war only dents and scars the process of nation building that had only just been started. The two must come down from the high ground and meet each other half way. Failure to do so will only lead to more anarchy and destruction.
Read more at: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Why region can?t afford unstable South Sudan
Foreign Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed Wednesday told reporters that Kenya had been approached to help boost the more than 5,500 soldiers needed to guard peace in the neighbouring country.
But the government, taking a neutral view on the conflict, said it would not send its soldiers after all. It would instead opt to contribute to the solution through diplomatic means.
The UN Security council has approached several countries Kenya and Rwanda among them to contribute 5500 peacekeeping force, she told reporters during the signing of her ministrys performance contracts.
Some countries have already agreed to provide troops to South Sudan, others are still considering the provision of those troops. Kenya supports the implementation of the Security Council but is unlikely to send its troops.
The admission from the minister arose from a question on whether the decision by Uganda to deploy its troops to Juba was affecting the nascent peace talks in the worlds youngest nation.
But Ms Mohamed told reporters Ugandas move had been sanctioned by both the government of South Sudan and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), the body that has been midwifing the talks; to protect installations in South Sudan.
(Read: Uganda fights in South Sudan as rebellion rages)
It was agreed that it would provide an opportunity to take humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. It as very difficult for the first few days to find a flight to take humanitarian assistance, she argued. But Uganda has since been accused by the rebel side of siding with the South Sudanese government and fighting alongside the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA).
Igad did not allow anybody to fight alongside south Sudanese army. Igad agreed to the protection of installations and to allow humanitarian assistance. So, you cannot say that Igad allowed foreign troops in South Sudan. All the participating countries are members of Igad.
The UN Security Council passed a resolution in December last year to boost the presence of peace keepers several days after the country descended into chaos.
Normally, the National Security Council, upon the approval of the National Assembly, deploys Kenyan troops outside its borders for peace, support operations or any other missions allowed by the law.
But the government quickly added that while it supports the resolution, Kenyas participation will not be by sending its military.
Kenya will not send troops to South Sudan but supports the UN Security Council Resolution, Foreign Affairs later said.
On Thursday, Igad cancelled an urgent meeting it had planned for Juba but said it was hopeful that South Sudans warring parties will end their conflict and cease hostilities.
Igad Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim claimed negotiations were going well in Addis Ababa as shuttle diplomacy by mediators continued to have fighting stop.
We hope there is going to be a cessation of hostilities and find a way to deal with people who have been displaced since the fight began, he said on the sidelines of a conference information access for improving disaster risks reduction in the Horn of Africa, in Nairobi.
The meeting which had been scheduled for Thursday was to discuss the foreign intervention in South Sudan, beside the efforts of how to convene the warring parties to cease hostilities.
Bringing an end to the fatal altercation between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar should be a priority for the Eastern African region. The conflict in Africas youngest nation threatens stability in East Africa directly. For instance, just when Kenya is being relieved of the burden of hosting Somali refugees, who are now returning home, reports indicate South Sudan asylum seekers are knocking on the Kakuma refugee camp doors and other places. This is a sad state of affairs given the humanitarian aid needed. Already, Kenyans in Turkana County are facing hunger and need urgent relief supplies. The influx of South Sudanese refugees will only worsen the situation. Currently, Kenya is grappling with a huge number of Somalis living in Kenya illegally. It is, therefore, critical for regional governments to support a peaceful resolution to the Juba conflict. Kenyas and Sudans decision not to send troops to the conflict is commendable as President Uhuru Kenyatta pursues dialogue with the warring sides. IGAD and other regional governments must encourage non-military intervention at this stage. Joining the fray on either side of the conflict will only exacerbate a dicey situation. We also urge President Kiir and Dr Machar to put the interest of their countrys future ahead of their own or that of their cronies. Civil war only dents and scars the process of nation building that had only just been started. The two must come down from the high ground and meet each other half way. Failure to do so will only lead to more anarchy and destruction.
Read more at: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Why region can?t afford unstable South Sudan
Bringing an end to the fatal altercation between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar should be a priority for the Eastern African region. The conflict in Africas youngest nation threatens stability in East Africa directly. For instance, just when Kenya is being relieved of the burden of hosting Somali refugees, who are now returning home, reports indicate South Sudan asylum seekers are knocking on the Kakuma refugee camp doors and other places. This is a sad state of affairs given the humanitarian aid needed. Already, Kenyans in Turkana County are facing hunger and need urgent relief supplies. The influx of South Sudanese refugees will only worsen the situation. Currently, Kenya is grappling with a huge number of Somalis living in Kenya illegally. It is, therefore, critical for regional governments to support a peaceful resolution to the Juba conflict. Kenyas and Sudans decision not to send troops to the conflict is commendable as President Uhuru Kenyatta pursues dialogue with the warring sides. IGAD and other regional governments must encourage non-military intervention at this stage. Joining the fray on either side of the conflict will only exacerbate a dicey situation. We also urge President Kiir and Dr Machar to put the interest of their countrys future ahead of their own or that of their cronies. Civil war only dents and scars the process of nation building that had only just been started. The two must come down from the high ground and meet each other half way. Failure to do so will only lead to more anarchy and destruction.
Read more at: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Why region can?t afford unstable South Sudan