On Thursday, Serb protesters gathered outside Nairobi to demonstrate against Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence. This move came as Kosovo, a Southeastern European territory, continues its quest for separation from Belgrade after nearly twenty years of such efforts.

The issue was that Kenya had affirmed its support for independence on Wednesday, with President William Ruto going further to declare Kenya’s intention to form diplomatic relations and accept Kosovo passports.

On Thursday morning, Danijela Čubrilo Martić, the Serbian Ambassador to Kenya, presented official complaints to Nairobi regarding their actions. She warned that this step could be seen as a perilous choice violating international laws and jeopardizing “amicable” ties between nations.
“The execution of such acts clearly breaches international regulations and directly contravenes UN Security Council Resolution 1244, affirming Serbia’s national boundaries and land unity,” stated the complaint issued by the Serbian Foreign Ministry.
“In light of these considerations, the Republic of Serbia reserves the right to undertake every essential diplomatic action against what we consider an outrageous and hostile maneuver.”
From Kosovo’s perspective, Kenya’s resolution involves discussions around legality and history. The Kenyan government defended its stance based on the ICJ’s advice rendered in 2010:
“On February 17th, 2008, when Kosovo declared its autonomy, the International Court of Justice backed this initiative through its judgment in 2010. In order to promote global stability and safety, ensure regional integrity, and foster stronger connections among European states, Kenya acknowledged Kosovo,” read a communication released by Kenya’s foreign office department on Wednesday.

Read: Kenya’s Dilemma Regarding Ties With Kosovo On October 8, 2008, the United Nations General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the Court regarding whether “the unilateral declaration of independence by the provisional institutions of self-government of Kosovo aligns with international law.” This request followed Kosovo’s announcement of independence from Serbia in February 2008.

The court determined that an independent declaration made unilaterally did not contravene international law since no legal prohibition existed against such declarations. Nevertheless, this ruling held no binding power. Despite this, the UN General Assembly accepted it. Yet, the issue regarding Kosovo’s official entry into the United Nations frequently encountered obstacles in the UN Security Council due to vetoes cast by Russia.

During the hearing of the case, Serbia submitted a document to the ICJ asserting that Kosovo’s declaration of independence blatantly contravened United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the international legal framework instituted by it. They also argued that this action breached the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia along with other fundamental principles of international law.

The resolution was adopted during the peak of the Kosovo conflict when numerous locals were forced from their homes. It mandated “substantial autonomy and meaningful self-governance for Kosovo… within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.”

It also initiated a political process aimed at establishing “an interim political framework agreement that includes significant self-governance for Kosovo, while fully considering…the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and other nations in the area.”

Yugoslavia began breaking apart continuously starting in 1991, even though Serbia remained part of the entity referred to as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until 1999. This state was subsequently renamed Serbia and Montenegro in 2003 before eventually splitting into separate nations in 2006. Originally, the country comprised six republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Nevertheless, Serbia persisted in claiming Kosovo as part of its territory.

On Thursday, Belgrade stated that any mention of the 2010 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice lacks merit. “Simultaneously, this action establishes an unfortunate precedent in the historically amicable relationship between Serbia and Kenya—a bond forged over many years based on mutual respect and collaboration, even within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement,” they noted.
The choice made by Kenya stirred enthusiasm among Albanians, particularly after their president, Bajram Begaj, expressed his joy publicly. “It pleases me greatly that Kenya has recognized the state of Kosovo today.”
He further tweeted on X: “I wish to express my deep appreciation to my dear colleague (President) William Ruto for making this decision, which was heartily embraced by all Albanian people.”

Serbia seeks support regarding Kosovo as President Ruto informs visiting Kosovan presidential special envoy Behgjet Pacolli, who has been advocating for international acknowledgment of his region.

The action effectively brushed aside Serbian lobbying efforts, which had strongly pushed back in Africa against acknowledging a region they consider part of Serbia. In October 2023, President Ruto encountered his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, at the margins of a gathering in Beijing, China. During this meeting, the Serbian leader stated that he received commitments from Nairobi not to align itself with recognizing Kosovo.

Kosovo asserts that 117 nations worldwide acknowledge its independence; however, only ten African states have extended recognition. In 2020, Israel became the most recent nation to do so. Supported by the United States and several important European Union member states, Kosovo comprises approximately 1.9 million inhabitants, predominantly ethnic Albanians along with Serb communities.

However, Serbia claims that 28 nations have either withdrawn or put on hold their acknowledgment of Kosovo. “The overwhelming majority of the global community, alongside principles of law and justice, continue to support Serbia,” as stated by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
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