President William Ruto on Monday had a phone call with France President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, State House has said.
“President Macron called President Ruto, who is also the Chair of the East African Community, on Monday evening and expressed support for regional efforts to address hostilities in Eastern DRC.
“He also committed his country’s support for the interventions being carried out to end the conflict, and for Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan,” State House said in a statement.
President Ruto also had a telephone conversation with Secretary Rubio on regional and bilateral issues of issues of mutual concern for the two states.
“On regional peace and security, Secretary Rubio praised Kenya’s efforts to promote regional stability. They discussed the situation in the Eastern DRC and the support needed from the United States of America in ending the conflict and returning the country to normalcy,” the statement said.
TALKS WITH RUBIO
President Ruto also updated Secretary Rubio on the security situation in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia.
“I am glad that the US has committed to continue to deploying its capabilities to support Kenya’s peace mission in the region,” he said.
They also discussed the United Nations-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti and agreed on a joint strategy to ensure the mission serves its purpose.
On Kenya-US economic partnership, the two leaders discussed the need to conclude the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement, which seeks to increase investment and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by unlocking existing economic opportunities.
Reacting to the call, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said it underscores the significance of Kenya-US strategic partnership in security including on countering terrorism as well as in trade and development.
“Hopefully, the call helps instruct the new administration on the importance of Africa and the critical need for the United States to invest more on the continent’s undeniable natural and human capital,” PS Sing’oei said.
