Ayub Abdikadir Grills Biden, Ruto in Hard-Hitting Interview (Video)
President William Ruto and U.S. President Joe Biden held a joint press conference at the White House on May 23rd.
During the conference, tough questions were posed by Ayub Abdikadir of Citizen TV regarding the controversial multinational security mission planned for Haiti, which both presidents addressed.
A delegation comprising Kenya’s command staff arrived in Haiti on Monday, preceding the deployment of 1,000 police officers from Kenya. The first batch of 200 officers is expected to reach Haiti this week.
The mission, in which Kenya plays a leading role with significant support from the United States, has stirred considerable debate due to its global geopolitical implications and internal challenges within Kenya.
Abdikadir initiated the session by questioning the rationale behind the U.S. backing Kenya’s involvement in Haiti while winding down its prolonged military involvements, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Isn’t it ironic that while America is ending its forever wars in Afghanistan, the latest in 2021 under your leadership when you withdrew troops from Kabul, you’re committing Kenya to another foreign war 12,000 km away from Nairobi? I mean, why the discrepancy, why the dichotomy?” he asked President Biden.
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President Biden differentiated between the two scenarios, underscoring the distinct hurdles and strategic significance of stabilizing Haiti.
“There’s a reason why Afghanistan has been known as the graveyard of Empires. The likelihood of anybody uniting Afghanistan is highly, highly, highly unlikely.
“Now, about Haiti, Haiti is in an area of the Caribbean that is very volatile. A lot is going on in this hemisphere, and we’re in a situation where we want to do all we can without looking like America, once again, is stepping over and deciding this is what must be done. Haitians are looking for help, as well as the folks in the Caribbean are looking for help,” he explained.
Biden underscored the United States’ involvement in offering intelligence and logistical assistance instead of taking the lead in the intervention, showcasing the cooperation with Kenya’s exceptional capabilities.
President Ruto echoed this viewpoint, affirming Kenya’s autonomous decision-making and dedication to worldwide peace efforts.
“We don’t find that the U.S. is committing Kenya because the U.S. cannot commit Kenya. I am the President of Kenya. It’s me to make that decision, and it’s the people of Kenya to commit their troops using their structures. We’ve gone through the processes in Kenya. Parliament has approved, we have a clear mandate, we have a clear framework,” Ruto stated.
Abdikadir then directed his attention to President Ruto, raising concerns about the prioritization of international commitments over pressing domestic security issues, particularly the banditry in Kenya’s North Rift region.
He questioned, “Isn’t it an irony that you are putting out the fire in a faraway neighbor’s home when our own home is on fire?”
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President Ruto responded by outlining the comprehensive measures taken to address domestic insecurity.
“I committed to the people of Kenya to sort out insecurity in the North Rift. I have followed that with action. As we speak, there are 3,000 military officers and 2,000 police officers in the North Rift.
“We have renovated the first 15 schools and completed them. We have reopened 20 schools that were closed in the North Rift, and that exercise is ongoing,” he detailed.
Kenya’s previous Chief of Defence, the late General Francis Ogolla, passed away in a helicopter accident while on a tour of the North Rift region to assess the advancements of the security intervention.
Ruto emphasized that Kenya’s global obligations, such as sending troops to Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aligned with its commitment to fostering stability both regionally and globally.
“Even as we were deploying troops and policemen in our own country in the North Rift to address the banditry problem, we still deployed a thousand troops to the DRC because that is our neighborhood. We have 5,000 troops in Somalia because, equally, that is our responsibility. Haiti should not be an exception,” he said.
President Biden supported Ruto’s statements by elaborating on the U.S.’s broader humanitarian efforts.
“We’re engaged in alleviating human suffering worldwide, including providing $375 million in humanitarian aid for displaced people in the DRC this year alone,” he noted, highlighting the multifaceted nature of U.S. foreign policy and its support for global security initiatives.
Both leaders stressed the importance of considering both local and global security as interconnected, endorsing a well-rounded strategy that tackles immediate domestic requirements while also meeting international obligations.
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The joint vision outlined by both presidents for the Haitian mission signifies a notable advancement in this direction, seeking to bring stability to a region facing turmoil through cooperative international endeavors.
President Biden further addressed inquiries regarding the United States’ decision not to deploy troops to the multinational Haiti mission.
“We concluded that for the United States to deploy forces in the hemisphere just raises all kinds of questions that can be easily misrepresented by what we’re trying to do,” he said.
The U.S. president emphasized the importance of finding leading partners for the mission, with America committed to providing support through supplies and logistics.
While not physically present, U.S. forces will play a role in aiding the mission through intelligence, logistics, and a financial contribution of $300 million (Sh40 billion).
Additionally, America will contribute $60 million (Sh8 billion) in equipment assistance to support the mission.
Ayub Abdikadir Grills Biden, Ruto in Hard-Hitting Interview (Video)
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