Friday May 24, 2024
U.S. President Joe Biden and Kenya's President William Ruto walk along the Colonnade around the Rose Garden on their way to the Oval Office for a meeting after a State Arrival Ceremony at the White House, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Washington, U.S. Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS
WASHINGTON (HOL) — Kenyan President William Ruto has raised alarms about the potential rise in terrorism following the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). During his state visit to the United States, Ruto urged American intervention to prevent security deterioration in the region.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ruto explained that the drawdown of ATMIS troops, scheduled according to a predetermined timeline rather than the actual security conditions, could lead to a resurgence of terrorist activities in Somalia. He emphasized that both he and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud are deeply concerned about the impending security vacuum.
“Today, Kenya is backstopping the security challenges in the Horn of Africa. Before I came here on Saturday, I had an engagement with the President of Somalia. And we have serious security challenges because there is an impending drawdown of ATMIS that is calendar-based, not conditions-based,” Ruto stated.
The withdrawal has been contentious. On May 5, the Somali government unexpectedly requested the United Nations to expedite the conclusion of the peacekeeping mission, despite having earlier sought an extension. The move caught the international community off guard.
In response, Kenya’s Defence Secretary Aden Duale and Michael Hammer, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, met on May 9 to discuss security arrangements post-ATMIS. “Our discussions focused on post-ATMIS security arrangements in Somalia, reinforcing our commitment to peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts,” Duale said.
Ruto's state visit to the U.S. also involved discussions on global security and economic issues. President Joe Biden expressed gratitude for Kenya’s commitment to deploying police forces to Haiti, supported by a $300 million U.S. contribution to a multinational force.
The visit marked the first state visit by an African leader to the U.S. since 2008, underscoring the strategic partnership between the two nations. Biden announced plans to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, reflecting the growing security collaboration between Kenya and the U.S.
Ruto’s decision to commit Kenyan forces to international conflicts has faced domestic scrutiny. Critics argue that Kenya should prioritize its own economic and security challenges. Legal challenges have also emerged, questioning the constitutional validity of deploying Kenyan forces abroad without reciprocal agreements.
Despite these challenges, Ruto maintains that global peace and security are collective responsibilities. “Kenya believes in the duty of every democracy to contribute to global peace and justice. This principle drives our actions in Haiti and beyond,” Ruto explained.