US Senator likens East Africa abductions to lawlessness
Senator Jim Risch, who also serves as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sharply criticized the regional governments, stating that recent reports of kidnappings and torture reveal a significant lapse in governance.
A prominent U.S. senator has voiced fresh worries about the increasing incidents of human rights violations in East Africa, coming just weeks after cautioning Kenya about its growing ties with China.
Senator Jim Risch, who also serves as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sharply criticized the regional governments, stating that recent reports of kidnappings and torture reveal a significant lapse in governance.
The Idaho senator emphasized that ignoring these abuses could not only destabilize the region but also undermine U.S. strategic interests.
Senator Risch took to X to highlight that the increasing cases of abductions and torture in East Africa represent more than just human rights violations they reveal deep-rooted state failure and a culture of impunity.
He warned, "This poses a direct threat to the region’s stability, security, and U.S. interests."
His comments came in response to the detention and deportation of Kenyan and Ugandan human rights defenders from Tanzania amid the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu on May 19.
Following these events, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs has called for thorough investigations into the reported abuses, specifically referencing the situations involving Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan advocate Agather Atuhaire.
"The United States is profoundly troubled by reports of mistreatment in Tanzania involving two East African activists, Ugandan advocate Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. Notably, Atuhaire was honored by the U.S. Department of State in 2024 as a recipient of the International Women of Courage Award," stated the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs.
The statement continued: “We demand an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations of human rights violations. We call on all nations in the region to ensure accountability for those responsible for abuses, including acts of torture."
Earlier, Senator Risch expressed strong criticism of Kenya’s foreign policy, particularly its close ties with China, despite Kenya’s status as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
"I have to say, seeing President Ruto and the Chinese President holding hands and discussing a new world order is quite astonishing. The ‘new world order’ they refer to is being shaped by autocratic regimes, outright communists, socialists who show no regard for human rights," Risch remarked.
