Kenya recognizes Kosovo, the first country in four years

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

Kenya, one of the African countries, officially recognized Kosovo's independence on March 26, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani confirmed, stating that the recognition came from her colleague William Ruto.

With this recognition, the number of countries recognizing Kosovo's independence increased to 118, according to Kosovo authorities.

"The Republic of Kosovo welcomes the decision of the Republic of Kenya to recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, through a decision signed by President Ruto, which was officially sent to the Presidency," Osmani wrote on her Facebook account.

The recognition of Kosovo by Kenya is the first in four years.

The news was previously announced to the public by former Kosovo President Bexhet Pacolli, stating that the recognition from Kenya came "at an unforgettable ceremony" on Wednesday.

"The Republic of Kenya – one of the most important countries in Africa – has officially recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state," Pacolli wrote on his Facebook account.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but official Belgrade does not recognize it. The two sides have been holding talks on normalizing relations since 2011, mediated by the EU.

There have been almost no new recognitions of Kosovo in recent years, and the last one came from Israel in 2021 as a result of the Washington Agreement on the Economic Normalization of Pristina and Belgrade.

Pacolli stated that the recognition from Kenya was his merit, and that "since 2009, he has personally lobbied and talked with the Kenyan authorities to make this day a reality."

"This victory did not come by chance. It is the fruit of long, tireless work," Pacolli wrote.

President Osmani stated that special gratitude for the recognition of Kosovo also goes to Pacolli.

She stated that relations between Kosovo and Kenya will deepen in various areas.

"We expect to establish diplomatic relations very soon, building a strong and long-term partnership between the two countries and our peoples," Osmani said.

'A gross violation of international law', Belgrade's reaction

The Serbian Foreign Ministry condemned Kenya's decision to recognize Kosovo's independence. In a statement, they said that such a move is a "gross violation of international law".

"Such a decision undermines efforts aimed at constructive dialogue, regional stability and respect for the international legal order", the ministry said.

They added that Serbia will "take all necessary diplomatic and political measures in response to this unacceptable and hostile act".