Feuding Israel and Iran tussle to have Kenya’s political support

Warring Iran and Israel are jostling for Kenya’spolitical support, with each side seeking Nairobi’s condemnation of the other’s actions.

Iranian Ambassador Ali Gholampour has urged Kenya – as an international player – to condemn Israel’s “unprovoked and premeditated attack” in Tehran.

Speaking at the Iranian embassy on Monday, Gholampour said talks on the resumption of Kenya’s tea exports to Iran are likely to be determined based on the position Kenya takes.

“I hope that very soon, of course, by the help and by the position that your government will take  – Kenya as a responsible country, as all other countries in the international community, has the responsibility to react – to first condemn these atrocities, invasions and acts of aggression. 

“Then, of course, a window of opportunity will remain open for not only the continuation of the business between the two countries, but also increasing it to the desired levels,” the Ambassador said.

The envoy had also paid a courtesy call on Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi on June 18.

Musalia said their conversation focused on the security dynamics in the Middle East, with the envoy "offering invaluable insights into the current developments and their broader implications for regional and global stability”.

When the Star asked if he directly requested Musalia for political support, Gholampour indicated it ought to be the obvious thing to do by members of the United Nations.

“In general, every country as a member of the international community, as a member of the UN and a party to the UN Charter, has the responsibility not only to refrain but also desist from assisting, helping in any way, [be it] political, non-political, military and logistical a regime that has committed acts of aggression,” the envoy said.

He added that states have the responsibility to respond to protect international law, safeguard the UN Charter and to protect humanity from the recurrence of such acts of aggression.

“So, it's not only for Iran, it's for the sake of international peace and security and we do believe that each and every country has the duty and task to not keep silent or neutral – that's the minimum – but they should take action,” he added.

Earlier on June 16, Israel Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem, told journalists in a virtual briefing that they expect all states that are against nuclear proliferation, that reject calls for the extermination of other countries and that stand against terror and its perpetrators to support Israel's position.

Lotem also linked the terrorism problem to the issue, arguing that it is in Kenya and East African states’ interest to side with Israel because Iran’s alleged terror activities are not confined to the Middle East.

“This region has an Al Shabaab problem as well as other terror groups, which is part of the larger Iran network of terror groups that includes Yemen’s Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah,” the Ambassador said.

He further added that Iran was a few weeks from acquiring nine nuclear bombs as part of its master plan to exterminate Israel.

“We are fighting for our existence. The Iranian regime has openly said its stated aim is to annihilate Israel and that is why we had to move in to defend ourselves,” he added.

However, his Iranian counterpart said the International Atomic Energy Agency had produced more than 15 reports with no single reference or mention that Iran has diverted from peaceful nuclear activities.

He added that the IAEA chief had recently confirmed there were no signs or documents to show Iran’s redirection from nuclear to military activities.

“So that's the main reason. It's not about the enrichment issue, because everything was guaranteed and completely safeguarded by the IAEA. It has just been used as a pretext for a long historical agenda of the US and Israel to invade and take aggression against Iran,” he said.

Kenya has largely taken a neutral stance on the conflict.

Foreign Affairs PS, Korir Sing’Oei, on June 13 urged the two states to exercise restraint and seek peaceful resolution in line with the UN Charter.

“A clear reason why we need a UNSC that functions and acts in the best interest of all,” he said.

The conversation has also extended to neighbouringUganda, where President Yoweri Museveni responded in a statement to an Iranian envoy who had questioned why Kampala was silent on the war.

Responding as Uganda's President and Non-Aligned Movement, Museveni accused various players of the failure to achieve lasting peace.

He blamed Iranian Islamists for viewing Israel as an illegitimate "transplant," arguing that the UN-sanctioned partition of Palestine was historically correct. 

The Ugandan leader also accused Israel of refusing to implement a two-statesolution, asserting the historical presence of Palestinians in the land.

Additionally, Museveni said Western imperialists, in particular the CIA, were responsible for the prolonged conflict after overthrowing Iran’s democratically elected leader, Mohammad Mosaddegh, in 1953.

“Mistake number four is to believe that the use of force, especially force from outside the concerned country, is a solution. It is not and always invites reactions that may even affect the interventionists,” he said.