Nairobi (Special Envoys) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António, on Friday in Nairobi highlighted the role of the presidents of Angola, João Lourenço, and Kenya, William Ruto, in the resolution of regional conflicts, especially in the pacification of the Great Lakes region.
Téte António, who was speaking at the closing of the First Angola-Kenya Joint Commission meeting, stressed that, as African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, President João Lourenço has driven the Nairobi and Luanda processes to find a solution in this region of the continent.
The minister highlighted the importance of Kenya as a regional, continental and international player.
In this regard, it welcomed the commitment to the pacification of the Eastern Great Lakes region through the facilitation of Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of that country, who has led the negotiations under the Nairobi Process on behalf of the East African Community (EAC).
Téte António also took the opportunity to congratulate Kenya on the role and mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSN) in Haiti, recently approved by the UN Security Council, through resolution 2699 of 2023.
“We believe that this intervention will give Africa great prestige as a relevant player in the international system”.
Historical visit
According to the minister, the official visit of the President of Angola, João Lourenço, to Kenya will indelibly mark the history of the two countries, with a new cycle in the deepening of economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Téte António reiterated Angola's interest in intensifying cooperation with Kenya, through the exploitation of the various potentialities available, with reciprocal advantages, namely in the Political-Diplomatic fields, Capacity Building of Civil Service Staff, Health, as well as Agriculture and Forestry.
In this context, he acknowledged Kenya's contribution to the process that led to Angola's independence, recalling the signing of the Nakuru Agreement between the three Angolan liberation movements, under the mediation of then President Jomo Kenyatta, on June 21, 1975. Angola would become independent a few months later.
“We mark a new stage in the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between our two countries. It is, therefore, a historic moment that will allow us to intensify the excellent bilateral relations,” he said.
The minister added that the legal instruments that will be signed in the field of economic cooperation during this visit will strengthen Angola's engagement in the Economic Area of the African Continent, as well as in the Tripartite Trade Area between the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Economic Community of East Africa, the latter that Angola joined thanks to Kenya's impetus.
Angolan community welcomes visit
The Angolan community in Kenya is made up of around 50 citizens. It is a community organized in the Association of Angolans Resident in Kenya.
Simão Arnaldo, a theology student in Kenya, understands that the visit of the President of the Republic is welcome, because this country has many strengths that can be useful for Angola, hence the need to increase cooperation.
He suggested that Angolan businesspeople must take advantage of the opportunities that this market offers in various areas.
For Sebastião Moniz, Angola must take advantage of experience in the field of education, from easy access to teaching and monitoring of students from initiation to university.
He said that President João Lourenço's visit demonstrates that Angola is close to the community residing in this East African country.
Vitorino da Cruz, a tourism student, says that he is acquiring knowledge that will help develop and preserve national parks, in favor of the development of tourism and the preservation of wildlife.
The student defended sending more Angolan students to train in this area, as, in addition to increasing investment, the tourism sector needs staff for its growth and contribution to the diversification of the economy.
Signing of 13 agreements
As part of the Head of State's visit to Kenya, the two countries signed, on Saturday, 13 agreements in various areas, to promote bilateral cooperation.
The verbal process for signing these instruments was initialed on Thursday, in Nairobi, during the 1st meeting of the Mixed Bilateral Commission, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Angola, Téte António, and by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs from Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi.
These are agreements in the areas of Health, agriculture, environment, mineral resources, oil and gas, tourism, telecommunications, Information and Communication Technologies, Transport and Maritime Cooperation, Commerce and Industry, Youth, among others.
A Memorandum of Understanding will also be signed between the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya.
Cooperation between the two countries will also be supported by the Memorandum of Understanding between the National School of Administration and Public Policy (ENAPP) and the Kenya Government School in the Field of Capacity Development in the Public Service. ART/VM/TED/DOJ
