For those who are ardent followers of the attache's desk you will remember I spoke about the importance of President Kenyatta's nominee for the position of Foreign Affairs cabinet secretary my previous post on 'The Iron Law Burns Hot in Kenya'. The position is extremely crucial because Kenya's foreign policy is at a cross roads. Not only because of the infamous ICC cases that haunt our foreign relations but also because of the evolving nature of the international system.
Much has been said about the ICC cases so I will not delve into this. MY position has remained clear that I do not believe that the ICC cases will have a major negative impact on Kenya's foreign relations.
As to the evolving nature of the international system, this is one to watch since it will have major repercussions for foreign relations for Kenya and globally. The world is slowly moving from a UNI-polar world to a MULTI-polar one. It is becoming increasing regionalised and the great powers of the last century are losing some of that luster. New powers are emerging and the regional agenda is becoming more prominent.
The appointment of Ambassador Amina Mohammed is therefore a master stroke from President Kenyatta. She brings on board the globally accepted diplomatic currency of CLOUT! and she has it by the bucket loads! As a career diplomat, lawyer, and Kenya's highest ranked U.N official (assistant Secretary General and deputy executive director, UNEP) she brings some credibility and international muscle to Kenya's foreign ministry.....and just in time to hit the refresh button on our foreign policy and how we conduct it.
Kenya is extremely well positioned internationally and It's about time we took advantage of that fact. Our democracy, economics, politics and culture are emerging, not to mention the geo-political significance of the country and perhaps a substantial mineral wealth.
However, the country needs a fit foreign ministry to cash in on this and I hope a technocrat with an understanding of the international system will deliver. I also hope those UN best practices will also rub off on the ministry.
The outlook from the attache's desk is 'cautiously optimistic'. We have a professional at the helm. I hope she is up to the task of upgrading a system that might prefer the status quo.
..."I await your first instructions sir."... These were the first words out of this apparently highly professional woman upon her appointment as a cabinet secretary. While I understand why you would be excited at her appointment, I fail to share your enthusiasm. Foreign policy is rarely about foreign policy. Indeed her first statement gives evidence of her most urgent and immediate role within that position...to forward the interests of the appointing personality (note my use of the word PERSONALITY and not AUTHORITY). We wish her well in conducting herself professionally as a seasoned diplomat is expected to, but my expectations are down there with the mice. Perhaps I'm too cynical. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteOf course she is right to defer to the authority of the president. It is the primary role of any and all diplomats to always seek the instructions of the appointing authority. This just goes to show the level of professionalism that she will hopefully bring to the table. You are also right to state that personality of a leader plays some role in foreign policy and I expect that Uhuru will be seeking to develop Kenya's foreign relations to benefit the country more....this is also where the Ambassador will come in...as a key advisor to the president on matters diplomatic. I still remain cautiously optimistic because i understand that politics is politics.
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