SADR

Kenya has announced this Wednesday its decision to rescind its recognition of the pseudo-Sahrawi Republic, self-proclaimed by the Algeria-backed separatist ...

The decision made by Kenya, which had been among the supporters of the Polisario, is therefore important in more than one way. In his message, King Mohammed VI congratulated Mr. William Samoei Ruto on his election as the 5th President of Kenya and welcomed the successful unfolding of democratic elections in the country in August 2022, stressing that these deadlines consolidate the position of Kenya as a beacon country in terms of democracy at the continental level.

Kenya on Wednesday revoked the recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the breakaway region south of Morocco, in what is President William ...

But a referendum meant to determine the future of the region was yet to be organised as both sides disagreed on who should participate. Mauritania later left, leaving Rabat to call the region its Southern Provinces of territory. The move now suggests Kenya could establish a full mission in Rabat, although Dr Ruto did not clarify. When then Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed ran for the chairperson of the African Union Commission in 2017, she visited the SADR government in Algeria. The territory has been claimed by Morocco since 1975. It may suggest a new focus on business ties as Morocco is seen as a key source of the much-needed fertiliser for Kenyan farmers.

The two countries pledged to upgrade their bilateral diplomatic relations to the level of strategic partnership within the next 6 months, the communiqué said, ...

For his part, William Ruto expressed his willingness and commitment to work with the Sovereign to strengthen relations between the two countries, commending His Majesty King Mohammed VI's leadership in promoting policies of tolerance and accommodation in the Maghreb region, as well as his contribution to global peace and security. A joint communiqué, some passages of which were published by the website of the State House of the Republic of Kenya (State House), following the delivery, on Wednesday, of a message from HM the King to the Kenyan head of state, indicates that "the Republic of Kenya has decided to revoke its recognition of the purported SADR+ and to initiate steps for the closure of its representation in the country". The Sovereign also welcomed the Kenyan President's pledge to strengthen and deepen the existing bilateral relations between his country and several states in Africa and beyond.