Kenya abandons non-alignment to become key US ally

Kenya has steered away from its traditional non-aligned stance, choosing an alliance with the US which in the past week saw the country being declared a major non-Nato ally by President Joe Biden, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to receive that designation. And following a three-day spectacular visit by President William Ruto to Washington, a delegation of Kenyan ‘command staff’ has arrived in Haiti ahead of the long-delayed arrival of a Kenyan-led multinational security support force in the Caribbean nation. Legalbrief notes that Ruto's state visit marked the first such visit to Washington by an African leader in more than 15 years and comes as Russia and China have expanded their influence across Africa. Ruto says his peacekeeping police force is expected to arrive in Haiti to help quell growing gang violence in about three weeks. In an interview with the BBC, Ruto confirmed a planning team was already in Haiti and had met local police to secure arrangements before the Kenyan troops are deployed. The team is expected to assess whether equipment and facilities for the foreign police forces are ready which will be decisive in determining a timeline for the deployment. A source with knowledge of the preparations told CNN that members of the delegation are also expected to meet with US and UN officials in the country. The UN Security Council last year authorised a multinational mission to support Haiti’s National Police in battling deadly gangs that have seized control of much of the capital Port-au-Prince. Despite strong support from the US and other regional powers, the mission has been mired in uncertainty and legal challenges for months. It was further delayed following the resignation of former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in March. The new transitional governing council said it met with top Haitian police brass to discuss the multinational mission. It said that through the Haitian National Police, it will have overall control of all aspects of operation, including the mission’s composition, aims, rules of engagement and health precautions.

A UN-managed trust fund for the mission currently contains $21m, provided by Canada ($8.7m), France ($3.2m), Spain ($3m) and the US ($6m). In addition to Kenya, personnel for the mission have been offered by the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad and Jamaica. CNN notes that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday defended US funding for the mission in a Senate Foreign Relations hearing, warning that Haiti is ‘on the precipice of becoming an all-out failed state’ without international support. ‘I understand some of the scepticism that exists about another mission in Haiti, but I think what we have going for us is this: first, a general revulsion of the people at the direction that the country has taken, including gangs that are dominating Port-au-Price and trying to undermine governance, a democratic trajectory that’s been disrupted by failing to have a government that actually has a clear mandate and all of that has also had the effect of interrupting development assistance, other forms of assistance that people so desperately need,’ he said.

Full BBC News report

Full CNN report

Washington’s extension of major non-Nato ally status will allow Nairobi to engage in closer security co-operation with Washington and obtain more sophisticated US weapons. Doing so is ‘a fulfilment of years of collaboration,’ Biden said at a joint news conference with Ruto at the White House. BBC News reports that Kenya has emerged as an important security partner to the US in East Africa, and is also part of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group coalition, which meets to co-ordinate on how to arm Kyiv against Moscow. The strengthening of its US alliance come as Washington faces setbacks in other areas of Africa. Washington has also been pleased by Kenya's recent pledge to send 1 000 of its police officers to Haiti. ‘Our joint counter-terrorism operations have degraded Isis and Al-Shabaab across East Africa,’ Biden said. ‘Our mutual support for Ukraine has rallied the world to stand behind the UN charter. And our work together on Haiti is helping pave the way to reduce instability and insecurity.’ Once approved by the US Congress, Kenya will become the 19th country to be named a major non-Nato ally. The White House pulled out all the stops for Ruto and his wife Rachel with a State Dinner that included celebrity guests, a succulent menu and electric performances. The black-tie event was a star-studded affair with celebrities from the screen such as Black Panther actress Danai Gurira, who is from Zimbabwe, and LeVar Burton, who made his name playing Kunta Kinte in Roots. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary were also there, along with ex-President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan. Minnesota politician Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia, was also in attendance. America's influence on the African continent has been waning in recent years, with countries moving towards China, Russia and Iran.

See Q&A in right side bar

First BBC News report

Second BBC News report