President William Ruto’s trip to the Vatican was already surrounded by controversy, but things seem to have gotten even worse after he held a brief meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani. This happened despite earlier protests and warnings about the sensitivity of the situation.
It all started last month when Kenya officially recognized Kosovo as an independent state on March 26. This decision raised eyebrows because it was seen as a move that would hurt Kenya’s diplomatic ties with Serbia. Serbia has strong backing from powerful countries like Russia and China at the United Nations, making the situation even more complicated.
The recognition of Kosovo was not a low-key affair either. It was celebrated with a formal signing ceremony, and former Kosovo President Behgjet Pacolli proudly shared the moment on social media. President Ruto’s decision made Kenya the first country in the last five years to officially recognize Kosovo, a move that few others have dared to make recently.
When Ruto met Osmani at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ burial ceremony, it seemed to show even more disregard for Serbia’s earlier warnings and concerns.
Shortly after the meeting, President Osmani praised Ruto, calling him Kosovo’s “great friend” in a post that was widely shared by curious Kenyans online. The meeting seemed friendly, and the two leaders discussed how to move forward in strengthening ties between Kenya and Kosovo.
Osmani stressed that it was always a pleasure to meet with Ruto and that they were excited about bringing the people of Kosovo and Kenya closer together through stronger bilateral relations.
Kosovo has been trying to fully join the global community ever since it declared independence from Serbia in 2008. However, this journey has been very difficult because Serbia, along with allies like Russia and China, have blocked its efforts to join international organizations like the United Nations.
These countries have veto power, making Kosovo’s path to UN membership almost impossible for now.Kenya’s decision to recognize Kosovo was met with sharp condemnation from Serbia. Serbia’s government called it an unacceptable and hostile act and promised to respond appropriately.
Their Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly released a strong statement criticizing Kenya’s move. According to Serbia, President Ruto’s decision went against the UN Charter, which they argue protects Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also pointed to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which they believe clearly affirms Serbia’s right to the territory that Kosovo now claims.
With this bold move, Kenya now faces a tense diplomatic situation in Europe. President Ruto’s actions have not only strained relations with Serbia but have also placed Kenya in the middle of a long-standing and sensitive international dispute.
It remains to be seen how Kenya will handle the fallout and whether the new friendship with Kosovo will be worth the diplomatic costs.
