The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reversed a recent decision by President William Ruto to disregard the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a sovereign state.
In a statement dated Friday, September 16 and signed by Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau, the Ministry reiterated that it still supported SADR's efforts to self-determine.
The PS also confirmed that the Kenyan Government supports the Organization of African Unity (OAU) decision to admit SADR to its membership.
"Reference is made to the above subject. The Republic of Kenya maintains excellent relations with all Members of the African Union (A.U) and the United Nations (U.N). Kenya has always and will continue to strengthen these relations for mutual benefit.
"Kenya's position on the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is fully aligned with; the decision of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to admit SADR to its membership on 22nd August, 1982, and the A.U Charter which calls for the unquestionable and inalienable right of a people to self-determination. Further the Country, aligns itself with decisions of subsequent AU Assemblies of Heads of State and Government on SADR," explained the PS.
The statement further made it clear that Kenya did not conduct its foreign policy on Twitter but rather depended on highly classified Government documents.
"Consequently, Kenya aligns itself with UN Security Council Resolution 690 (1991) which calls for the self-determination of Western Sahara through a free and fair referendum administered by the U.N and the A.U. Kenya supports implementation of this UN Security Council Resolution to the letter.
"It should equally be noted, that Kenya does not conduct its foreign policy on Twitter or any other social media platforms, rather through official government documents and frameworks," added the statement.
The clarification comes after Ruto , on September 14, tweeted that Kenya no longer recognised Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as an independent state.
The DP had made the decision after meeting Morocco's King, His Majesty Mohammed VI. SADR, partially recognized State, has been agitating for independence from Morocco.
"At State House in Nairobi, received congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Kenya rescinds its recognition of the SADR and initiates steps to wind down the entity’s presence in the country.
"Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting solution of the dispute over Western Sahara," stated the President at the time.
Soon after, the tweet mysteriously vanished leaving Kenyans in the dark on where the newly sworn-in regime stood on the matter.
In an interview with KTN News, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua explained that the confusion was caused by lack of clarity shortly after they were sworn in.
