Ruto revokes Kenya's recognition of Sahrawi as independent state

He said he will initiate steps to wind down the entity's presence in Nairobi.

In Summary

• His remarks came after receiving a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

•President Ghali of SADR was among the VVIPs who attended Ruto's inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, September 13.

President William Ruto receiving a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco at the State House on September 14,2022.
President William Ruto receiving a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco at the State House on September 14,2022.
Image: WILLIAM RUTO/TWITTER

President William Ruto on Wednesday revoked Kenya's recognition of the Sahrawi Democratic Republic as an independent state.

He said he will initiate steps to wind down the entity's presence in Nairobi.

"Kenya rescinds its recognition of the SADR and initiates steps to wind down the entity’s presence in the country," he said.

His remarks came after receiving a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Ruto said Kenya is accelerating relations with Morocco in areas of trade, agriculture, health, tourism and energy among others.

The SADR was colonized by the Spanish colony, and it claims the territory of Western Sahara.

Morocco has asserted claims over the region, alongside Mauritius.

"Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting solution to the dispute over Western Sahara," Ruto added.

President Ghali of SADR was among the VVIPs who attended Ruto's inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, September 13.

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