Kinshasa, April 21nd, 2021 (CPA).– The President of the Republic, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and his counterpart from Kenya, Uhuru Kenatta, on a state visit since last Monday in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reaffirmed their commitment without deepening the long-standing fraternal relations that exist between their two countries.
The two Heads of State noted with satisfaction that the bilateral relations between DRC and Kenya are based on long-standing interpersonal ties between the two countries. They pledged not only to consolidate strategic bilateral cooperation but also to give new impetus to its scope and scale.
They recognized the central role that the African Union, its organs, regional economic communities, regional mechanisms and continental institutions play in promoting peace, security, sustainable development and economic transformation of the continent, while expressing their concern about the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism that continues to be seen across the continent.
To this end, they affirmed the need for concerted bilateral and regional efforts at the levels in particular of the East African community, the international conference of the great lakes region, SADC, IGAD and other regional mechanisms, to effectively combat terrorism in all its forms and implement strategies to counter radicalization and violent extremism.
The two Presidents also pledged to continue working together to safeguard peace and stability in eastern DRC, in the Great Lakes region and in the Horn of Africa.
Strengthening bilateral cooperation and trade
During their discussions, Presidents Felix Antoine Tshisekedi and Uhuru Kenatta also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and trade.
To this end, they have successfully concluded and supervised the signing of four bilateral cooperation instruments, namely the general cooperation agreement; the security cooperation agreement; the defense cooperation agreement and the maritime freight management cooperation agreement. All these agreements will strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation for sustainable development between the two countries and the two peoples.
The bilateral meeting between DRC and Kenya took place in a cordial atmosphere and in a spirit of cooperation. President Uhuru Kenyatta informed the press that to strengthen bilateral relations between Kinshasa and Nairobi Kenya is committed to opening a consulate general in Goma and an honorary consulate in Lubumbashi.
President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi declared that Kenya has voluntarily accepted to be part of the Rapid Intervention Brigade formed by the United Nations to support FARDC in the fight against terrorism in the east of the country. . On this occasion, he announced that the response will be « ruthless » until the total eradication of cases of violence in eastern DRC.
The two heads of state then chaired a signing ceremony for bilateral agreements in the areas of security, defense, maritime freight management, infrastructure, the fight against corruption and money laundering. ACP/