President William Ruto, on October 8, threw his support behind Israel amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, denouncing the Palestinian offensive as an act of terrorism.
In a bold move, President Ruto called for the individuals responsible for the violence in Israel to be held accountable, strongly condemning the attacks that he argued posed a significant threat to international peace and security.
"Kenya stands united with the global community in solidarity with the State of Israel and unequivocally condemns acts of terrorism and violence against innocent civilians within the country. The Kenyan people and their government extend their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims," Ruto declared.
Nevertheless, Ruto's position diverged from that of many other African leaders, who held contrasting viewpoints on the issue.
For instance, the Algerian Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning Israel's attack in Gaza, stating that it resulted in the loss of innocent lives among the Palestinian people who, in their view, fell as martyrs under the Israeli occupation's continued oppression. The statement notably omitted any reference to the Palestinian attack on Israel that triggered the latest wave of conflict.
Similarly, Tunisian President Kais Saied expressed his unwavering support for the Palestinian people, asserting, "What some media describe as the Gaza enclave is Palestinian land that has been under Zionist occupation for decades, and it is the right of the Palestinians to reclaim it, along with all Palestinian territories."
In contrast, the African Union, under the leadership of Chair Moussa Faki, publicly condemned the war and expressed condolences to those affected. While Faki refrained from explicitly taking sides, he emphasized that the primary cause of the conflict stemmed from the "denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to an independent and sovereign state."
Among the African heads of state, the only other leader who echoed Ruto's stance was Congo's Felix Tshisekedi, who stated, "The Head of State expresses his solidarity with the Israeli people and extends his condolences to the victims and their families."
Over the years, Israel and Palestine have been entangled in numerous conflicts, ranging from minor clashes to catastrophic events resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.
The latest escalation began when the Palestinian group Hamas, labeled as terrorists by Israel, initiated aerial, sea, and ground attacks, alleging that Israel was unlawfully occupying Palestinian lands. In response, Israel launched counterattacks that led to a significant loss of life.
