Kenya and Rwanda Condemn Israeli Strike on Qatar, Citing Violation of Sovereignty
In a strong and unified diplomatic move, both Kenya and Rwanda have independently condemned Israel's recent attack on Qatar's capital, Doha. Their statements follow a growing chorus of African nations voicing concern over the strike, which targeted senior Hamas leaders.
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement asserting that the attack was "not only a violation of Qatar's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also a significant threat to regional stability and international peace and security." This position highlights a key principle of international relations: the inviolability of a nation's borders and its right to self-governance without external military interference.
Rwanda echoed this sentiment in its own statement, describing Israel's "unjustified violation of fundamental territorial sovereignty" as a "dangerous" act that is pushing the world toward "anarchy." By using such strong language, Rwanda underscores its view that such actions undermine the very foundation of the global order built on international law and respect for sovereign states.
A Growing African Consensus
The condemnations from Nairobi and Kigali are part of a broader trend, following similar statements from other African powerhouses, including Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Somalia. This collective response from diverse African nations signals a unified position against cross-border military actions and underscores the continent's commitment to upholding international legal norms.
For example, Nigeria's foreign ministry emphasized that "respect for national sovereignty and international law, particularly concerning cross-border use of force, is a primary and paramount task." This underscores the continent's shared history and its firm belief in the importance of respecting borders and non-intervention.
Somalia, in its statement, went a step further, calling on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to halt Israel's repeated attacks and ensure the protection of civilians. This call for swift international intervention highlights the urgent humanitarian and security concerns the conflict has created.
The Israeli airstrikes on Doha, which occurred on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, were reportedly aimed at high-ranking Hamas officials. However, the fact that the attack took place in the capital of a sovereign, neutral nation has sparked widespread condemnation. This incident raises serious questions about the limits of military operations and the potential for a regional conflict to escalate, drawing in more players and destabilizing the fragile peace in the Middle East and beyond.
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