(Sunday, Nov 06, 2011, Daily Nation)--Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations is expected to seek audience with the President of the UN Security Council regarding Nairobi’s military intervention in Somalia.
At the same time, the UN’s top body is considering a request by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to address the full council. Mr Afwerki is believed to be eager to head off additional UN sanctions against Eritrea related in part to his country’s alleged involvement in Somalia’s civil war.
Kenya has accused Eritrea of supplying arms to the Al-Shabaab militants that Kenyan forces are now battling in southern Somalia. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has remained silent on Kenya’s intervention in Somalia.
Portuguese UN ambassador Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral told reporters on Friday that he will be meeting “at the beginning of next week” with Kenya’s ambassador, Mr Macharia Kamau.
Mr Kamau wrote to the Security Council last month to explain why its forces have entered Somalia. He said then that Kenya’s action was being coordinated with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government. The United States, which wields veto power on the Security Council, is apparently opposing President Afwerki’s request to speak to the 15-nation group.
“I think any time you bring together leaders at that level with the degree of tension that exists between them, it’s not going to promote improved relations or greater peace and stability,” US ambassador Susan Rice is quoted as having told Inner City Press on Thursday.
“So I think we have to be very cautious about it and thoughtful about it.” Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula also delivered a strong warning that Nairobi would consider cutting ties with Asmara over the latter’s association with the militant group. Read more from Daily Nation »
Kenya has accused Eritrea of supplying arms to the Al-Shabaab militants that Kenyan forces are now battling in southern Somalia. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has remained silent on Kenya’s intervention in Somalia.
Portuguese UN ambassador Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral told reporters on Friday that he will be meeting “at the beginning of next week” with Kenya’s ambassador, Mr Macharia Kamau.
Mr Kamau wrote to the Security Council last month to explain why its forces have entered Somalia. He said then that Kenya’s action was being coordinated with Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government. The United States, which wields veto power on the Security Council, is apparently opposing President Afwerki’s request to speak to the 15-nation group.
“I think any time you bring together leaders at that level with the degree of tension that exists between them, it’s not going to promote improved relations or greater peace and stability,” US ambassador Susan Rice is quoted as having told Inner City Press on Thursday.
“So I think we have to be very cautious about it and thoughtful about it.” Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula also delivered a strong warning that Nairobi would consider cutting ties with Asmara over the latter’s association with the militant group. Read more from Daily Nation »
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