Jovanovic: Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo is not in Africa’s interest, attractive offers might have been involved

Former Yugoslav Foreign Minister Vladislav Jovanovic, commenting on Kenya’s decision to recognize Kosovo’s independence, stated that such a move might have resulted from a coordinated effort by Albanians, with their relatively attractive offers in exchange for recognition, along with the involvement of Western powers. He also said that this decision is not in Africa’s interest.

“This is one of the incidents in the struggle for the recognition or non-recognition of the so-called state of Kosovo. All interested parties are engaged in this battle—on one side, the so-called state of Kosovo with its people, such as Behgjet Pacolli, but they can also act in other ways, through countries close to Kosovo or through Western countries," Jovanovic told Kosovo Online.

He added that the United Kingdom has traditionally been present in Kenya, as well as the United States, and that Kenya has been considered one of the more developed African countries with strong Western influence.

“So, it is possible that this was a coordinated action by Albanians, with their relatively attractive offers in exchange for recognition. But there is also the struggle of those Western powers, which, through the European Union, are trying to pressure us into weakening our interest in Kosovo and allowing events to take their course—that is, to meet various conditions imposed on us until the critical moment arrives when we are expected to act upon the demand for full normalization of relations with Kosovo and Metohija. This has been their unfulfilled desire so far," Jovanovic said.

This recognition, he noted, could serve as a “poke” at Serbia, a reminder that it should not be too confident in the number of countries that do not recognize Kosovo or assume that those who currently do not recognize it will remain in the same position forever.

However, he pointed out that when it comes to Kenya’s recognition, it is difficult to speak of final positions.

“It is difficult to talk about definitive matters in today’s ever-changing world. What seemed final yesterday may turn out to be unreal or be replaced by something else," Jovanovic added.

He emphasized that the battle to sway individual countries—whether to recognize Kosovo or not to vote for de-recognition—is invisible and takes place behind closed doors, something Serbia must take into account.

Kenya’s recognition, he said, is not in Africa’s interest, as the continent is currently experiencing a greater awakening and striving to be treated more equally and fairly by all, especially former colonial powers.

“In this light, we can expect that this issue will be discussed both within Kenya and the African community, and Serbia is unlikely to sit idly by,” Jovanovic concluded.