Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africa News
Published on 2024-02-16 13:15:05
President Joe Biden is set to host an official state visit for Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House in May. This visit comes after President Biden reneged on his promise to travel to Africa last year. The visit, scheduled for May 23, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries by affirming their commitment to peace, security, economic ties, and democratic values.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the visit will also focus on bolstering cooperation in areas such as people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security. This visit is seen as a testament to the shared commitment to advance peace and security and to stand together in defense of democratic values.
In addition to the celebration of the U.S.-Kenya partnership, it was also announced that Haiti is working on an official agreement with Kenyan officials to deploy Kenyan police forces to the country. The two countries recently met in the U.S. to draft a memorandum of understanding for this deployment, setting a deadline for the arrival of Kenyan forces in Haiti.
The White House further confirmed that both President Ruto and Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto will be honored with a dinner during their visit to Washington. President Biden had previously hosted a state dinner for Australia, and this upcoming event is seen as a continuation of the administration’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties with key allies and partners around the world.
President Biden had initially announced plans to visit sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, making him the first U.S. president to travel to the region in a decade. However, other priorities intervened, including last-minute trips to Israel, Vietnam, and a secretive journey to Ukraine. This eventually led to the president skipping the planned Africa trip, citing other pressing foreign security matters that required his attention.
As he prepares for his reelection in November’s election, President Biden continues to focus on pressing foreign security matters, such as the Israel-Hamas war and discussions in Congress over proposed foreign aid for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. His administration is also emphasizing the importance of partnership and investment in Africa, as highlighted by Vice President Kamala Harris during her remarks at the Munich Security Conference.
Vice President Harris emphasized the need for a new approach to the relationship between the United States and Africa, highlighting the continent’s potential impact on the world in the coming decades. She stressed the importance of partnership and collaboration with African leaders and nations, shifting the focus from aid to mutual partnership and cooperation.
In conclusion, President Biden’s upcoming state visit with Kenyan President William Ruto reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic relations with key allies and partners while also acknowledging the importance of the U.S.-Africa relationship. The visit is expected to advance cooperation in various areas and reaffirm the shared commitment to peace, security, and democratic values between the two countries.
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