Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday that he pledged to open an embassy in Morocco before the end of the year. According to l’East AfricanRuto’s decision reflects his intention to strengthen ties with “one of the biggest players in North Africa« .
Ruto’s announcement came on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Kenyan Chancellery in Dakar, Senegal.
The opening of an embassy in Morocco means that Kenya will upgrade its diplomatic presence in the country from a consulate to a full-fledged embassy.
The election of Willian Samoei Ruto as president in August 2022 opened a new chapter in Morocco’s relations with Kenya.
Shortly following taking office, Ruto revoked his country’s recognition of the Polisario’s self-proclaimed “Sahrawi republic” and endorsed Morocco’s stance on the Sahara conflict. Ruto explicitly stated that he would act to “reduce” the Polisario Front’s presence in Kenya. Ruto’s decision was welcomed by a number of Kenya’s key politicians.
The conflict over the Sahara is just an excuse to allow Algeria to continue wasting the wealth of its people for lost causes,” newly elected President Ruto said justifying his decision to embrace the Moroccan version. of the history of the Sahara.
“Instead of provoking unnecessary conflict and division within the African Union, this pan-African body must ensure that the territorial integrity of the 54 members is respected in accordance with the AU Charter which prohibits interference in internal affairs of sovereign countries,” he added.
