Kenya visit tensions
Obama’s push for gay rights in Kenya causes some debate while Kenyatta refuses to change laws involving homosexuality. There are also some tense moments between Obama and Kenyatta over other topics like U.S. aid. Many Kenyans also believe that Obama is not implementing enough American aid programs, whereas Obama does not want other African countries to believe he is playing favorites. Obama:
When you start treating people differently, not because of any harm they’re doing to anybody, but because they are different, that’s the path whereby freedoms begin to erode and bad things happen
Kenyatta:
There are some things we must admit we don’t share, [that] our culture, our societies don’t accept. It’s very difficult for us to be able to impose on people that which they themselves do not accept.
Invited to regional president’s meeting
Bashir will join a group of regional leaders, including Ugandan president Museveni, Kenya’s president Kenyetta, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Desalegnin, in Uganda for talks on South Sudan conflict. Ministry of Foreign Affairs official:
[Bashir] has been invited for heads of state meeting on regional issues at State House, Entebbe. We expect him to join them on Monday to discuss the crisis in South Sudan and how to end it.
Bashir’s visit to the East African country will not cause a diplomatic incident because of International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants for his alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Official:
The African Union (AU) has a different position (not cooperating) on ICC. We respect and abide by it. We have no obligation to arrest him.