Kenyan President Ruto Calls for Permanent Ceasefire, UN Reform at UN General Assembly

Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, urging a permanent ceasefire and "strict adherence" to international humanitarian law in Gaza. He emphasized the need for a credible political process to achieve a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine can coexist in peace, security, and stability. Ruto also highlighted the UN's "deepest crisis" in credibility and capacity, citing funding cuts, bureaucracy, and the frozen state of the Security Council.

Key Takeaways:

• Kenyan President Ruto called for a permanent ceasefire and strict adherence to international humanitarian law in Gaza, urging a credible political process for a two-state solution.
• Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed over 65,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leading to devastation and famine.
• The UN faces its "deepest crisis" in credibility and capacity, with funding cuts, bureaucracy, and the frozen state of the Security Council.
• Ruto called for Africa to be granted at least two permanent seats with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council, emphasizing that reforming the Security Council is a necessity for the UN's survival.
• Africa dominates the Security Council agenda, contributes major peacekeeping forces, and bears the heaviest costs of instability, but remains the only continent without a permanent seat at the table where decisions about its future are made.
• Kenya has deployed over 600 police officers to help stabilize Haiti under the multinational mission, which has struggled to secure troop contributions and achieve significant results against widespread insecurity.
• Armed gangs control an estimated 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and Haiti's path to peace, stability, and renewal remains uncertain.

Statistics:

• Over 65,400 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with most being women and children.
• The UN faces funding cuts, with bureaucracy and the frozen state of the Security Council hindering its operations.
• Africa contributes major peacekeeping forces and bears the heaviest costs of instability, but lacks permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
• Kenya has deployed over 600 police officers to help stabilize Haiti under the multinational mission.
• Armed gangs control an estimated 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, in Haiti.

Sources:

• [Source 1] Press Briefing by the President of Kenya at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly.
• [Source 2] Ezulwini Consensus (2005), document referencing the African leaders' demands for two permanent and five non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council.