Idaho Senator James Risch has criticized Kenya and Uganda following the abduction of Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye.
In a statement issued in his capacity as a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, November 20, the abduction was described as concerning.
Risch wondered why partners of the US would allow for such incidents that contravene international standards of human rights and the rule of law.
"Uganda’s abduction of an opposition leader in Kenya raises serious questions about important U.S. partners violating international norms like sovereignty, respect for human rights & the rule of law," read the statement in part.
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#Uganda’s abduction of an opposition leader in #Kenya raises serious questions about important U.S. partners violating int'l norms like sovereignty, respect for human rights & rule of law. This is especially concerning given the Biden Admin’s rhetoric about transnat'l repression.
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member (@SenateForeign) November 20, 2024
"This is especially concerning given the Biden administration's rhetoric about transnational repression.
Besigye is reported to have been abducted by Ugandan security officials at an apartment in Nairobi.
Civil groups and politicians across the world have accused President William Ruto's administration of facilitating the alleged 'kidnapping' by President Yoweri Museveni's government.
On Wednesday, he was presented before a Court Martial and charged with being in possession of a firearm in Kenya.
Meanwhile, as criticism mounts on Kenya and Uganda, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'oei explained that investigations were ongoing to determine what transpired in the alleged 'kidnapping.'
"The Kenyan interior ministry has begun an investigation into how Besigye has been forcefully removed from premises in our country and taken to Uganda," he stated while on an interview on Citizen TV.
