President William Ruto’s tweet calling for the revocation of Kenya’s recognition of the Western Sahara Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has sparked a diplomatic tiff with the North African nation.

Ruto almost ran into trouble from Kenyans online and his supporters over his hurried decision to have Kenya sever ties with Western Sahara just hours after its president Brahim Ghali graced his swearing-in ceremony at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.

After the ceremony, President Ghali was officially received by Ruto at State House, Nairobi for the inauguration luncheon and was even accorded the privilege of signing the visitors’ book.

 In the tweet, Ruto said he would initiate steps to wind down the country’s presence in Nairobi, a directive which shocked many.

 “Kenya rescinds its recognition of the SADR and initiates steps to wind down the entity’s presence in the country,” Ruto had said on Twitter on Wednesday.

 The backlash from Kenyans immediately saw him delete the tweet that had called for the revocation of Kenya’s long-standing recognition of the said country and instead maintained the one saying he met with Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita who had delivered King Mahamed VI’s goodwill message to Ruto as he ascended to the presidency.

 In the post he retained, Ruto expressed support for the UN framework overseeing the dispute over Western Sahara, which has historically been claimed by Morocco and the Sahrawi independence movement, Polisario Front.

Faulted president

“We are accelerating relations with the Kingdom of Morocco in areas of trade, agriculture, health, tourism, energy, among others, for the mutual benefit of our countries. At State House in Nairobi, received a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Kenya supports the United Nations framework as the exclusive mechanism to find a lasting solution of the dispute over Western Sahara,” reads the tweet.

 But despite his decision, Kenyans including prominent lawyers Ahmednassir Abdulahi and Donald Kipkorir faulted the president for his rushed decision.

 Ahmednassir said on his twitter account that he disagrees with his decision as the Sahrawi People of Western Sahara have the right to self-determination.

 “On this I respectfully disagree with President William Ruto. The Sahrawi People of Western Sahara have the right of Peoples to self-determination. Morocco is a colonizing State,” he said. Kipkorir said Kenya was making a mistake in supporting Morocco against the SADR.

 “In 1980’s, whilst the rest of Africa shunned apartheid South Africa, Kenya & Malawi defied Africa. South Africa has never forgiven Kenya. Their President didn’t attend our inauguration. We are making the same mistake supporting Morocco against the Sahrawi Republic. Kenya is alone in AU,” he said.

 Isbouia Yassine, who identified himself as a member of the Moroccan civil society welcomed the new president’s message which he termed as positive.