[Spokesperson Report (Statement) 666]
Immediately Release Lee Sanghun, President of the People’s Democracy Party, and the Delegation of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform!
It has been over 12 hours since Lee Sang-hun, former president of the People’s Democracy Party and leader of the 21st Century Che Guevara, and the delegation of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform (Platform) were illegally detained by the Ruto authorities. On May 9 and 10, the World Anti-Imperialist Platform held an international anti-imperialist conference and a colloquium to discuss and reach agreements on strengthening and developing the global anti-imperialist front and struggle. Following this, on May 12, they carried out a practical struggle to strongly denounce the neocolonial plunder of the “Africa-France Summit” (Africa Forward Summit) and to sternly reject the fascist repression of the Ruto regime in Kenya. During this action, they were subjected to illegal and violent repression by the Kenyan authorities. The protest and march against the Africa-France Summit was a legal and peaceful action for which a rally notice had been duly filed. Nevertheless, the authorities fired tear gas during the crackdown and mobilized soldiers to ruthlessly detain the participants without warrants or grounds for detention.
We condemn the fascist atrocities of the Ruto authorities in the strongest possible terms. Although the Africa-France Summit concluded at 17:00 that day, the Ruto authorities continue to detain the Platform delegation, not even providing minimal meals or basic necessities, and have gone so far as to commit the worst human rights violations by blocking the exercise of the right to legal assistance. For some time, the Ruto regime—a fascist puppet of imperialism—has openly engaged in kidnapping, terrorism, illegal detention, violence, and torture against the Communist Party Marxist Kenya (CPMK) Secretary General Booker Ngesa Omole, as well as other communist and anti-government forces, under the pretense of resource security and national stability. In 2024, they massacred over 60 people by firing live ammunition at anti-neoliberalism protesters and effectively incited martial law by mobilizing the military. Currently, President Lee Sang-hun and Song Danbee, International Committee member of the People’s Democracy Party, are conducting a silent hunger strike in protest against the Ruto authorities that destroying human rights and committing fascist crimes.
Imperialist forces stand behind this fascist repression. After the French imperialist military was expelled from West Africa, the Sahel Alliance countries, the Macron government signed a France-Kenya Defense Cooperation Agreement and stationed French troops in Mombasa as part of a re-invasion strategy to expand its influence into East Africa. At this Africa-France Summit, the two countries agreed on an investment package worth 23 billion euros in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, digital, AI, and climate; however, most of this is provided in the form of loans. It is only a matter of time before Kenya, already burdened with massive debt, becomes completely economically subordinate to France and the Kenyan people are reduced to debt slaves. The atrocious fascist repression of the Platform delegation and international activists by the Ruto fascist regime, backed by imperialist forces, clearly demonstrates the injustice and illegality of the Africa-France Summit.
Immediately and unconditionally release the World Anti-Imperialist Platform delegation and international activists. Statements of condemnation are pouring in from all continents across the globe, and protest rallies are being organized and carried out in response to this illegal and violent detention and custody, which brutally violates Kenyan and international law. At a time when imperialist aggressors are instigating wars of aggression worldwide, we feel even more deeply at this moment that it is the duty of progressives to push forward by countering the violence and oppression of imperialist and fascist forces through struggle. Together with the World Anti-Imperialist Platform, the People’s Democracy Party has declared the strongest solidarity and action, passionately responding to the aspirations of the African and Kenyan people for anti-imperialist independence and people’s liberation. Where there is repression, there is resistance, and the deeper the darkness, the brighter the dawn. We will unite and struggle with the oppressed and exploited peoples of the world to overthrow imperialism and fascism and fasten the realization of independence and liberation.
May 13, 2026
In front of the Kenyan Embassy, Seoul
Spokesperson’s Office, People’s Democracy Party
