The Inter-Parliamentary Union of IGAD countries (IPU-IGAD) has urged Kenya to reconsider its decision to disengage from the peace process in South Sudan, saying the move could negatively affect the sisterly country.
Last week, about 100 Kenyan troops left the UN Mission in South Sudan following a presidential withdrawal order. President Uhuru Kenyatta who serves as a rapporteur of IGAD, ordered them to withdraw in response to the sacking of the Kenyan commander of the UNMISS force.
In a press statement after his joint meeting with South Sudan lawmakers last week, Hale Adhana, head of the IPU-IGAD delegation, called on Kenya to suspend its plan to disengage from the peace process in South Sudan.
“There is a concern, a very serious concern, because this decision would impact negatively on the consolidation of the peace process in South Sudan, “said Adhana. “This message hopefully would reach the leadership of Kenya, and hopefully take note of this message and hopefully reconsider that suggestion,” he added.
However, the IPU-IGAD leader said that he respects Kenya’s decision to pull out its peacekeepers after the dismissal of Gen. Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki from his position as commander of the UNMISS force on basis that he failed to protect civilians during July fighting.
“But we would rather appeal to H.E the President of Kenya that it would not be proper to take an action that could affect a sisterly country, President Uhuru Kenyatta may hopefully look into the matter again, it is only that we can do,” he said.