Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice In Kenya

By Scott A. Morgan

February 21, 2008 – On the evening of his planned week long state visit to Africa, the President of the United States made an announcement that some have felt should have been made sooner. President Bush announced that he will be sending the Secretary of State to Nairobi to determine what role if any, the US can play in restoring stability to the country after the results of the controversial December elections. This is not the first time there has been an American effort to broker a deal.

Since the crisis first began in late December, there have been several acts of indecision from within the State Department. After initially congratulating President Kibaki upon his ‘reelection’, the US had to back track its statement after the outbreak of the violence. And, after sending Under Secretary of State Frazier to the region, the second major Gaffe by the State Department occurred.   When Ms. Frazier announced that what she had seen in Kenya amounted to what she felt was genocide a State Department spokesman downplayed the remarks by stating that the Situation was a “fluid situation."

Earlier this month Congress held hearing about the situation. Senator Feingold has introduced a legislation that would curb back all US Aid to Kenya except for basic necessities (Food and Medicine.) Also, senior members of both the Government and the main opposition party would be prevented from any travel to the United States. At least 10 individuals have already received such letters from the US Embassy. And Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has worked the phone lines trying to broker a deal between the main litigants in this crisis.

The first question that can be asked is why is the Secretary of State heading to Kenya? Well sending such a senior member of the US administration sends a signal that the US is backing the current talks. The National Unity of Kenya may be paramount for regional stability. There is a litany of instability in East Africa at this time. A strong US POLITICAL presence not just Military may be just the Proper response at this time.

The largest underlying question is while the Secretary is in the Region will she take on some of the other regional Issues? The deadline for the Northern Uganda Peace Talks is rapidly approaching. In recent days there have been reported movements by members of the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) towards the Central African Republic. This is a tactic that the LRA has used before in an attempt to get some concessions from the Ugandan Government. In recent months Uganda has had an aggressive foreign policy by supporting the Ethiopians in Somalia and reportedly deploying troops near the Kenyan border to maintain order.

There are other areas of concern as well. Eritrea has thrown UN Peacekeepers out of the Country and they have moved into neighboring Ethiopia. And these two countries seem to be sliding towards hostilities again. Who knows what will happen if conflict once again breaks out in the Horn. The situation in Somalia remains in flux as well. In recent days pirates have clashed with elements of the US Navy. And also there are efforts by the breakaway region of Somaliland to have the US recognize the independence of that region. There are rumors abound of a Bill being introduced by an Advocacy Group in late January but there has been no evidence of movement yet.

President Bush will be visiting the region as well during his trip. He will stop in Tanzania this weekend as he tries to spread his efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and promote good governance. Even though this is the last year for this administration, he can rehab his image by urging for a continuation of the process in Kenya and addressing other regional issues. He also has two key allies in the region in Ethiopia and Uganda. He could have met with the leaders of these two nations and urge them to stay on the path of democratic reforms but sadly, this could be a missed opportunity to address other major issues.