Kenya, Angola ink 11 deals to boost bilateral relations

President William Ruto and his Angolan counterpart João Manuel Goncalves Lorenco on Saturday, at State House, Nairobi, witnessed the signing of 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at augmenting bilateral relations between Kenya and the Central African country.

The deals, among other things, touched on wildlife management and conservation, shipping and maritime cooperation, youth development, forestry cooperation and bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector.

"Other MOUs are on telecommunications and ICT, oil and gas, mining and geology, health collaboration, capacity building of the public service and cooperation of our respective diplomatic academies. These frameworks will unlock the potential of our commercial and trade relations," Ruto said after the signing of the deals.

Ruto added that in a bid to boost trade and movement of people between Kenya and Angola, the government has waived Visa requirements for all nationals from the Central African country with immediate effect.

"We have also directed our respective ministers responsible for Transport to expedite and conclude discussions on the resumption of direct flights between Kenya and Angola," said Ruto.

The two Heads of State similarly committed to promoting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region while at the same time opposing unconstitutional changes of governments and external interference in the political processes of African nations.

"President Lourenço and I acknowledge the active role played by our countries in addressing the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo through the Luanda Roadmap and the EAC-led Nairobi Process," said Ruto.

"Angola and Kenya are concerned over the proliferation of conflicts in Africa and beyond. We call for urgent reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to make it more representative, accountable, effective and responsive to the world’s geographical realities."

Ruto also announced that Kenya will support Angola’s candidature for chairmanship of the African Union based on the country’s endorsement by Southern African Development Community (SADC).

"On climate change, we acknowledged that Kenya and Angola have suffered severe effects of this existential phenomenon," said Ruto.

"We affirmed the resolutions that were reached at the Africa Climate Summit last month and agreed to work together under the framework of the African Union and the United Nations, ahead of COP28 in Dubai beginning next month, to ensure that Africa makes its full contribution on this very crucial issue."