The study examined and analyzed the conduct of military diplomacy occasioned by KDF’s entry into Somalia. Various levels were identified through which military diplomacy was conducted namely, at the local or national level, at the sub-regional level, at the regional level and at the international level. At the national level, military diplomacy addressed the national constituency through various institutions. The use of the cabinet and parliament to approve the deployment of KDF into Somalia, was a demonstration of military diplomacy. From the study, it was indicated that the Ministry of State for Defence engaged the aforementioned two institutions having followed the laid down procedures to secure the stipulated constitutional mandate to allow KDF operations in Somalia. It was also evident that, inter-ministerial consultations took place between the lead ministries of government in addressing the challenges from KDF’s engagement in Somalia. cxx Once the national constituency was informed and a consensus built on the need for the operation, diplomatic efforts were directed to the sub-region. From the study, it is evident that Shuttle Diplomacy was spearheaded by key personnel in the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. The ministers in these two ministries, coupled with the military leadership represented by the Chief of Defence Forces, made several trips to the capitals within East Africa and the sub-region covering IGAD countries and to the AU Headquarters to brief the respective heads of states and government and AU officials, on Kenya’s action in response to the threats emanating from Somalia. From the outset, it was important that the conduct of military diplomacy was anchored within the practice of international law and practice for it to attract the requisite support and legitimacy regionally and internationally. To this end therefore military diplomacy through the ambit of the ministry of foreign affairs, invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter that authorizes the use of force by a state for self defence before informing the UNSC. The invocation of Article 51 was a clear demonstration of the threat to Kenya’s national interests and by extension, the threat to the very survival of the state. The conduct of military diplomacy within East Africa and the greater sub-region and eventually to the regional level was also in line with recognition of the UN’s Chapter V111 on regional security arrangements and more specifically Article 52 in a bid to ensure the attainment of international peace and security as per the dictates of the UNSC. From the study the role of IGAD and the AU is clear.
The study examined and analyzed the conduct of military diplomacy occasioned by KDF’s entry into Somalia. Various levels were identified through which military diplomacy was conducted namely, at the local or national level, at the sub-regional level, at the regional level and at the international level. At the national level, military diplomacy addressed the national constituency through various institutions. The use of the cabinet and parliament to approve the deployment of KDF into Somalia, was a demonstration of military diplomacy. From the study, it was indicated that the Ministry of State for Defence engaged the aforementioned two institutions having followed the laid down procedures to secure the stipulated constitutional mandate to allow KDF operations in Somalia. It was also evident that, inter-ministerial consultations took place between the lead ministries of government in addressing the challenges from KDF’s engagement in Somalia. cxx Once the national constituency was informed and a consensus built on the need for the operation, diplomatic efforts were directed to the sub-region. From the study, it is evident that Shuttle Diplomacy was spearheaded by key personnel in the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. The ministers in these two ministries, coupled with the military leadership represented by the Chief of Defence Forces, made several trips to the capitals within East Africa and the sub-region covering IGAD countries and to the AU Headquarters to brief the respective heads of states and government and AU officials, on Kenya’s action in response to the threats emanating from Somalia. From the outset, it was important that the conduct of military diplomacy was anchored within the practice of international law and practice for it to attract the requisite support and legitimacy regionally and internationally. To this end therefore military diplomacy through the ambit of the ministry of foreign affairs, invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter that authorizes the use of force by a state for self defence before informing the UNSC. The invocation of Article 51 was a clear demonstration of the threat to Kenya’s national interests and by extension, the threat to the very survival of the state. The conduct of military diplomacy within East Africa and the greater sub-region and eventually to the regional level was also in line with recognition of the UN’s Chapter V111 on regional security arrangements and more specifically Article 52 in a bid to ensure the attainment of international peace and security as per the dictates of the UNSC. From the study the role of IGAD and the AU is clear.
COL%20PIUS%20MIGUE%20(1).docx