Sunday, August 22, 2010

New Ambassador To Kenya Expected To Offer Softer Diplomacy

Looks like Obama plans to replace Michael Rannenberger, Ambassador to Kenya, with Retired Gen. Scott Gration.  The general retired in 2008 to join Obama's presidential campaign.  In 2009 Gration was criticized for his methods of dealing with the Sudanese government in Darfur.  Gration argued:
We've got to think about giving out cookies," to the government, Gration told the Washington Post during the trip. "Kids, countries -- they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes, agreements, talk, engagement.
So, how many cookies, money and other rewards will Gration give away to Kenya?

By Juma Kwayera
The Standard
August 23, 2010

A dramatic shift in strategy by President Barack Obama administration is expected to restore Kenya’s role in the war against international terrorism and piracy after more than a decade.

With the testy issue of constitutional reforms nearly done and dusted, security experts say the promulgation of the new Constitution this week sets the stage and tenor for new US engagement with Kenya. To realise this, Obama is expected to replace outgoing US envoy Michael Ranneberger, with his special envoy in Darfur, Sudan, Gen Scott Gration.

Gration has been instrumental in dissuading Washington from confrontational conflict resolution tactics to use of soft power to protect its interest in the region without eliciting further hostilities from mainly Muslims. In the past two weeks, the State Department has sent out strong indications of a possible change of personnel and strategy at the foreign of office, where tough-talking Ranneberger is expected to pave way for Kenyan-born Gration.
Read more . . .

No comments:

Post a Comment