Idaho Senator James Risch has expressed criticism towards Kenya and Uganda following the abduction of Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 20, in his capacity as the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Risch termed the incident as concerning and a violation of international standards.
The senator questioned why key U.S. partners would allow incidents that undermine 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, and the rule of law,” read part of the statement.
“This is especially concerning given the Biden administration’s rhetoric about transnational repression,” he added.
Besigye was reportedly abducted by Ugandan security officials at an apartment in Nairobi. Civil groups and politicians worldwide have accused President William Ruto’s administration of facilitating what they described as a ‘kidnapping’ by President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
On Wednesday, Besigye was presented before a Court Martial in Uganda and charged with possession of a firearm in Kenya.
Amid mounting criticism, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei stated that investigations were underway to uncover the details of the alleged ‘kidnapping.’
“The Kenyan interior ministry has begun an investigation into how Besigye was forcefully removed from premises in our country and taken to Uganda,” he explained during an interview on Citizen TV.
