European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles (left) and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo after signing of a Joint Declaration on the Kenya-European Union Strategic Dialogue in Nairobi on January 28, 2022. PHOTO DAILY NATION

Kenya and the European Union on Friday launched vital talks to elevate their ties beyond aid and focus on issues of long-term peace and development.

At a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and visiting EU top diplomat Josep Borrell Fontelles signed a joint declaration to formally begin discussions on a Strategic Dialogue, a guiding document that could turn relations to “common problems.”

Mr Fontelles, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, arrived in Nairobi on Friday,  just three weeks before the EU hosts African delegates in Brussels for the EU-AU Summit. But while the bloc wants to build ties with the entire continent, Mr Fontelles said the EU will first work with 'like-minded countries.'

“We have been having, the European Union and Kenya, a long standing relationship. But we are no longer the donor of development aid. We are a strategic partner,” Fontelles told a joint press conference in Nairobi.

Peace and security

“There is no doubt that peace and security is at stake in this region and the whole world. And this requires that like-minded countries like the European Union and Kenya join their forces in order to work together in many fields.”

The Strategic Dialogue, he said, will “bring concrete results, because it will focus on delivering on commitments, actions, investments, and sharing objectives among our people.”

Those commitments will target long-term peace and security in the region, fighting poverty through trade and investment, environmental conservation and fighting climate change, defending democracy and the rule of law, and human rights, “as well as many sectors in Kenya’s priority development agenda,” Ms Omamo said.

The EU has traditionally been one of Kenya’s biggest donors; supporting programmes for justice, humanitarian support for the displaced as well as in education. On Friday, Mr Fontelles launched the Kenya-European Union Cooperation programme.

Meant to last until 2027, the programme targets environmentally responsible investments in Kenya, human development and digital inclusion through computer literacy and internet service provision.

It will cost $361 million in the initial four years. It will deal with  projects meant to preserve peace and stability “with a special focus on women and youth,” the dispatch said.

The final document from the Strategic Dialogue will guide the ties between the EU and Kenya for the next five years.

Ms Omamo said technical teams from both sides will draft agreements on peace and Security and Stability, Sustainable, Inclusive Development and SDGs and Economy, Trade and Investment, the three main pillars under discussion.

But while it is entirely bilateral, Ms Omamo said the pillars will be related to the goings-on in the region, including the humanitarian issues, security incidents and regional cooperation.

“We need partnerships in all of our countries to tackle challenges of the day in a spirit of collaboration and in a spirit of partnership,” she said.

“We have a common spirit towards development…and for countries that are able to deliver development goods to their people…. that was the spirit of our conversation and they are in line with our conversation of the Strategic Dialogue.”

The EU and Kenya have implemented a trade pact which was initially meant for the entire East African Community but which saw member states raise fears of a possible obstruction to nascent industries.

Mr Fontelles also met President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi. - AGGREY MUTAMBO, The EastAfrican

Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele. Photo via Nigerian media

JUBA – A controversial Nigerian cleric has issued spiritual warning on South Sudan and seven other African countries including Uganda, saying President Salva Kiir Mayardit needs to reorganize the army to protect his leadership against rebels which he said are in planning a surprise attack on the state.

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, who is said to be currently on a prayer mountain, in a statement signed by his media aide Osho Oluwatosin, spoke on what these countries should expect and the path their leaders should toil in order to avoid a crisis, pointing out that South Sudan will experience a smooth democratic unless Kiir reorganize his army.

“South Sudan will experience a smooth transition to democracy if the president heeds to advice, observe the fast and protect the country because the rebels are planning big to attack the government force unexpectedly,” he said in the statement quoted by Nigerian news outlets.

He claimed that President Kiir’s government has done so well in the last period, but there is need for reorganization of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in order to be ready when the rebels, which he did not name, launch their attacks.

“They should reorganize the government force and seek for more international support,” he said.

“The head of the government has done so well but there are some people who are planning hurricane Barbarossa in the country. He should be very careful and prayerful this period,” he added.

It remains unclear in what aspect the head of the government has done well. South Sudan has recently been identified by the Transparency International as the most corrupt country on earth.

The United Nations has also warned that sub-national violence has increased leading to many deaths among the civil population, despite reduction of political violence between the South Sudan belligerents. - Sudans Post

During the meeting, they reviewed relations of common interest between the two sides, and ways of enhancing and developing them. Photo via Gulf Times

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah met with Rwandan Defence Minister Major General Albert Murasira. During the meeting, they reviewed relations of common interest between the two sides, and ways of enhancing and developing them. On this occasion, HE al-Attiyah hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of the Rwandan defence minister and the delegation accompanying him. (QNA) - Gulf Times