Kenya's president faces tough questions as regional tensions grow

Recent events put spotlight on Kenyaʼs leadership after mysterious disappearance of Uganda opposition figure. Growing concerns about security forces actions and cancelled business deals add pressure on president Ruto

November 27 2024 , 06:06 AM  •  1513 views

Kenya's president faces tough questions as regional tensions grow

In mid-November a high-profile incident shook east-african politics when Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye vanished from Nairobi during a book event (which later caused regional tension)

The situation got more complex when Besigye showed up at a military court in Kampala: facing terrorism charges. His wife – a UN-aids director pointed out the odd nature of civilian trial in military court; while UN human-rights chief expressed deep worry about such practices

Kenyas Catholic Church made things worse by rejecting president William Rutoʼs $40‚000 donation and criticizing his government for what they called a “culture of lies.“ Meanwhile Ugandan officials openly talked about Kenyaʼs involvement in Besigyeʼs transfer which contradicted Nairobiʼs denial

The president had to deal with other issues too – he cancelled deals worth $2‚5B with indian businessman after fraud charges came up in US. Human rights groups say security forces did bad things during summer protests: over 70 people disappeared and 1‚300-plus got arrested without proper cause

  • South Africa gets ready to lead G-20 starting december
  • Chinaʼs leader visited Morocco to discuss billion-dollar factory plans
  • Russia plans its first embassy in Togo next year
  • Five west-african countries agreed on huge highway project

Despite growing problems US keeps supporting Ruto – making Kenya non-NATO ally and getting them involved in Haiti mission. But some US politicians dont like this approach saying it hurts Americas image when talking about democracy

A new road project might change west-african trade: $15B highway connecting Ivory Coast to Nigeria got extra $6‚8B funding for business zones. When done it should carry most goods traded between these countries making local trade easier than ever