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President William Ruto on Monday, January 27, 2025, held separate phone conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss various issues affecting Kenya and other regions.
In a statement, the President said that he had a telephone conversation with Rubio on a variety of issues of mutual concern for Kenya and the US.
According to him, they discussed the need to conclude the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) agreement that seeks to increase investment and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by unlocking the existing economic opportunities.
The two also discussed the United Nations-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti and agreed on a joint strategy to ensure the mission serves its purpose.
“On regional peace and security, Secretary Rubio praised Kenya’s efforts to promote regional stability. We discussed the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the support needed from the United States of America,” said Ruto.
President Ruto at the same time updated Secretary Rubio on the security situation in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia, adding that the US has committed to continue to deploy its capabilities to support Kenya’s peace mission in the region.
Ruto holds talks with Marco Rubio and Emmanuel Macron
Spokesperson for the State Department Tammy Bruce added that Secretary Rubio praised Kenya’s efforts to promote regional stability.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to underscore the value of the U.S.-Kenya bilateral relationship and thank him for Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti.”
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The Secretary also reiterated the importance of Kenya’s role in promoting regional peace and security in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC.
Separately, President Ruto held talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron over the escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ahead of an emergency meeting of East African Community (EAC) Heads of State on Wednesday.
At least 17 people have been killed in the fighting and over 300 injured after M23 rebels declared that they had seized control of the eastern DRC capital of Goma, as well as the Goma branch of state broadcaster RTNC.
Ruto noted that President Macron expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the already volatile situation in the region.
“I have spoken to President Emmanuel Macron of France on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the challenge. President Macron also committed his country’s support for the interventions being carried out, and for Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.”
DRC crisis
The conversation with President Macron comes after Ruto, who also serves as the chairperson of the East African Community (EAC), called for an emergency meeting of EAC Heads of State on Wednesday to address the escalating crisis in the DRC.
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Speaking at a meeting of the African Union Institutional Reforms Retreat at State House Nairobi, President Ruto urged both President Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to engage in dialogue to resolve the standoff.
He stressed the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the crisis, which has put thousands of lives at risk.
The violence in Goma erupted on Sunday and Monday, as M-23 rebels clashed with DRC’s security forces in the eastern city.
Gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the day, as footage emerged of the rebels patrolling the main streets of Goma after advancing on the Congolese military.
The fighting forced thousands of the city’s 1 million residents to flee for their lives. As the situation continues to deteriorate, regional airline Jambojet has suspended flights to Goma, citing security concerns.
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