Diplomacy News
Republic of Kenya
A Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November 18, 2016
Issue No. 004
Deputy President William Ruto
addresses media after meeting
Chadian President Idriss Deby
Itno in N'Djamena. He was
accompanied by Amb. Amina
Mohamed and Amb. John
Mwangemi .
Kenya Lobby for AUC Chairperson
Intensifies
By Edwin Limo
K
enya has embarked on a serious lobby exercise in
support of Amb. Amina Mohamed who has been
nominated to vie for African Union Commission Chair.
In a hold no barred move that targets to reach all the 53
voting members of the African Union, President Kenyatta has
dispatched Special Envoys led by his Deputy President William
Ruto to his colleagues across the continent.
Early last week Ruto led a delegation to Chad and met
President Idriss Deby Itno.
The lobbying that targeted northern, central and western
Africa started off in N’Djamena, then Ghana, Cote d’voire,
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Algeria, Mali, Nigeria and DRC. Other
countries covered to date include Egypt, Malawi, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Namibia, Angola Mauritania, Tunisia, Lesotho,
Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Guinea, Gabon, Niger and
Burundi.
nominated its long serving Foreign Affairs Minister Moussa
Faki Mahamat for the position of chairperson of AUC and
Ruto said President Deby has two candidates and will have
one of them elected in January 2017.
“President Deby has had discussions with President
Kenyatta over this matter and we hope that one of the two
candidates will be elected the chairperson of African Union
Commission in January,” said Ruto.
President Deby acknowledged that he had two candidates
saying they both had the experience and knowledge to steer
the Secretariat.
“We do not want someone who will take instructions from
outside Africa. Whoever will be elected must drive the
African agenda and push for reforms within the United
Nations,” said President Deby.
Ruto said Amb. Amina was best suited to take over from
outgoing Chair, Madam Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, since
she seats in the executive council of Africa Agenda 2063
and understands where Africa should be.
Accompanied by the Candidate, Foreign Affairs Cabinet
Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed, Ruto said Kenya believes its
candidate has what it takes in terms of experience and
knowledge to drive the African agenda forward.
Other candidates competing for the AUC Chair with Amb.
Mohamed include Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi (Botswana),
Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chad), Abdoulaye Bathily (Senegal)
and Agapito Mba Mokuy (Equatorial Guinea).
The DP presented a special message from President Uhuru
Kenyatta to President Idriss Deby, and expressed confidence
the Chadian President would consider supporting Kenya
although he has a candidate for the same position. Chad has
Mr. Ruto vouched for the integration of the African
countries saying Africans should fast track the integration
of the continent to create a huge market that can compete
favourably with other international markets in trade and
investment. ◊
EAC Endorses Amb. Amina’s AUC Candidature……………………….. 2
Qatari Ambassador to Kenya Concludes Tour of Duty ………………
2
Kenya Participates in Havana Fair ……………………………………….. 3
MFA Staff to Learn Chinese Language …………………………... 3
Kenya, Canada in Strategic Partnership ……………………… … 4
UK, US envoys urge Kenya to reconsider UNMISS Decision ...…… 4
EAC Endorses Amb. Amina’s AUC Candidature
By Sarah Mwangi
E
ast African Community (EAC)
Ministers for Foreign Affairs
have reiterated their endorsement of
the candidature of Amb. Amina
Mohamed as chairperson of the
African Union Commission (AUC).
In an extra-ordinary meeting of the
EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign
Policy coordination held on November
12, 2016 at a Nairobi hotel, the
ministers received and welcomed
the progress made on the ongoing
mobilisation of support for the
candidature by the republic of
Kenya which has already covered a
half of African Countries.
In a joint communiqué signed by
Talha Mohamed (Tanzania), Sam
Kutesa (Uganda), Otis Aimable
(Burundi), Louise Mushikiwabo
(Rwanda) and Phyllis Kandie
(Kenya), the ministers collectively
agreed to campaign and lobby other
African Union countries for their
support.
The ministers directed the EAC
secretariat to officially convey this
decision to all African Regional
Economic Communities (RECS) to
solicit their support.
The AUC elections are scheduled for
January 2017 at the 28th Assembly of
the African Union Heads of State and
government at Addis Ababa.
In attendance at the EAC Ministers’
meeting were Education Cabinet
Secretary Fred Matiangi, Principal
Secretaries, Ambassadors and High
Commissioners of the EAC partner
states.
Qatari Ambassador to Kenya Concludes Tour of Duty
By Andrew Kuria
T
he tour of duty of
Ambassador of
the State of Qatar to
Kenya Ibrahim Mohamed
Al-Abdulla has come to
an end.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet
Secretary Amb. Amina
Mohamed in a speech
read on her behalf by
Political and Diplomatic
Secretary Amb. Tom
Amolo hailed the strong
cordial relations between
Kenya and Qatar during
a farewell luncheon in
honor of the outgoing
Ambassador at Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi on
November 16, 2016.
Foreign Affairs officials pose for a group photo with outgoing Qatari Ambassador to Kenya .
The CS further called
upon the two countries to
work closely and conclude various agreements and memorandum of understanding that are still
pending.
"Cooperation in such sectors as energy,
mining and labor have potential to
greatly improve trade between two
countries," She said.
Amb. Mohamed thanked H.E Al
Abdulla for the good work during his
tour of duty singling out the success-
ful State visit by President Kenyatta to
Editors Note
Qatar in 2014 and the increase of
Kenya expatriates working in Qatar.
This is the fourth issue of Diplomacy
News.
She wished him well in his future endeavors.
The Editor welcomes feedback,
suggestions, short analysis for
Kenya and Qatar started diplomatic
relations in 2003 and the two nations consideration and publishing in
future issues of the newsletter.◊
have maintained good relations.
Present were Head of Directorates and
Ambassadors from the Arab League.◊
Edwin Limo
Kenya Participates in Havana Fair
By Amb. Antony Muchiri
K
enya participated in the 34th edition of
the International Fair of Havana
(FIHAV 34) held from October 31 to November 4
2016 in Havana, Cuba.
A total of 60 countries and 3000 companies took
part. Kenya was one of four African countries
participating for the first time.
Kenya’s stand was honoured by a visit by Cuban
Vice President Salvador Antonio Valdes Mesa. A
total of 1142 participants visited the Kenyan stand.
The trade fare enables exhibitors and visitors to
establish commercial contacts, close business
operations and exchange experiences in Cuba's
newly evolving market. ◊
Kenyan delegation during the 34th edition of the International Fair of
Havana held on November 4, 2016.
MFA Staff to Learn Chinese Language
By Wambui Kigathi and
Kawira Githinji
I
n a deliberate effort to develop
necessary skills among officers
for international
engagement, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the
Foreign Service Academy (FSA) and
University of Nairobi, Confucius
Institute have signed a memorandum
of understanding on cooperation
which establishes a framework for the
exchange of professionals, lecturers
and experts in foreign languages.
During the launch of the Chinese
language course for Foreign Service
Officers (FSOs) at the Confucius
Institute, University of Nairobi on
November 4, 2016, Cabinet Secretary
Amina Mohamed in a speech read on
her behalf by Amb. Ben Ogutu, said
that Kenya is expanding its
engagements with new and emerging
economic powers and in various areas.
‘As we live in multilingual and
multicultural world, training in
languages helps diplomats to learn
speedily,” the CS said adding that as a
ministry and international relations
practitioners, we are exposed to
different languages, cultures and
traditions of people from all over the
world.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Amb. Lui Xianfa (sitting 6th left) and Amb. Ben Oguto
(sitting 5th left) with staff from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and University of Nairobi Confucius Institute at Nairobi University on November 4, 2016.
The course which takes three months
will expose participants to elementary
skills in Chinese Language and
thereafter sharpen those skills further
by partnering with the Chinese
Foreign Affairs University in Beijing
for a six months course
“As a Ministry
we are exposed to
different languages,
cultures and traditions.”
Amb. Mohamed recognised the role
played by FSA as the bedrock to equip
the Ministry staff with requisite
knowledge, skills and competencies for
effective diplomatic engagement that
resonates with
practice in the
international arena.
The launch was attended by Amb. Lui
Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya,
University of Nairobi acting Vice
Chancellor Prof. Paul Mbithi and the
Director of the Confucius Institute
Prof. Guo Hong, Director FSA Amb.
Simon Nabukwesi among others ◊
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Kenya, Canada in Strategic Partnership
Secretary Amb. Monica Juma on November 10, 2016, Canadian Foreign
Minister, Stephane Dion who was on
his maiden tour to Kenya revealed
that only three countries in Africa
have similar framework with Canada:
South Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
Canada pledged to support Kenya on
the peace process in Somalia and
South Sudan and also expressed its
willingness to work with Kenya
regionally and internationally on
anti-terrorism
and
youth
deradicalisation.
Principal Secretary Amb. Monica Juma with Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion and
High Commissioner of Canada to Kenya Sara Suzan Hradecky, during a courtesy call at her
office on November 10, 2016
By Wambui Kigathi and Wendy Getugi
senior level consultations.
K
The commission will focus on development agenda including; peace and
security, education, environmental
cooperation, trade and investments
among others.
enya and Canada are set to
initiate a strategic partnership
agreement that will provide a framework for a bi-national commission for
government to government regular
Speaking during a courtesy call to
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal
Canada through the Aga Khan
Development Network supports a
number of regional and country`s
specific projects in health, education,
early childhood, development and
civil society with a portfolio in Kenya
of US$122million (Ksh 12.2billion).
Amb. Juma appealed to the Canadian
Government to consider offering
training and scholarships to Kenyans
to study in Canada.
Mr. Dion thanked Kenya for its
support of Canada’s bid for the UN
Security Council (2020) and for
offering to mobilise other member
states to support its bid.◊
UK, US envoys urge Kenya to reconsider UNMISS Decision
By Kawira Githinji
Principal Secretary Amb.
Monica Juma with Nic
Hailey British High
Commissioner to Kenya,
Victor
Ronneberg
Norway Ambassador to
Kenya and Paul Sutphin
Deputy Head of Mission
at the US Embassy when
they paid her a courtesy
call at her office on November 8, 2016.
U
nited Kingdom and United
States envoys have called on
Kenya to remain actively engaged in
the political process in South Sudan
despite recent military withdrawal of
soldiers serving under United Nations
Mission to South Sudan (UNMISS)
The envoys said Kenya was an
important player in South Sudan peace
process and the withdrawal would
greatly impact the strides made so far.
Speaking at a meeting held on
November 8, 2016 with Foreign
Affairs Principal Secretary Amb.
Monica Juma at her office, Nic Hailey
British High Commissioner to Kenya,
Victor Ronneberg, Norway Ambassador to Kenya and the Paul Sutphin
Deputy Head of Mission at the US
Embassy expressed their government’s
desire that Kenya would reconsider its
about South Sudan but
about the way the matter was handled by the
UN Secretariat.
decision to
withdraw its troops.
PS Juma informed that Kenya not only
disagreed with the facts arising from
the report but also the process that
followed to the sacking of the Kenyan
General.
The PS emphasized that bilateral political engagements would continue
given the geographical location of the
two countries and that the implication
of instability in South Sudan would
still impact Kenya.◊
PS Juma said the issue at hand is not
4
Vision
A peaceful, prosperous and
globally competitive Kenya
PICTORIAL
Mission
Deputy President William Ruto and
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb.
Amina Mohamed held talks with Mali
President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita at
Presidential Palace Koulouba, Bamako.
To project, promote and protect Kenya’s interests and image globally through innovative diplomacy, and contribute
towards a just, peaceful and
equitable world
The talks centered on Kenya candidature
of AU Chairperson.◊
Core Values

Customer Focus

Patriotism

Team Spirit

Professionalism

Ethics and Integrity

Equity and fairness
Principal Secretary Monica Juma briefs
Ambassadors from United Nations Security
Council member states on UNMISS situation.
Amb. Liu Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to
Kenya and Ms. Lu Xu Deputy Director
General Department of Consular Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs China paid a
courtesy call to Principal Secretary
Monica Juma on November 8, 2016 at
her office. ◊
www.mfa.go.ke
@foreignaffairskenya
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Political and Diplomatic Secretary Amb. Tom
Amollo bids farewell to Qatari Ambassador
to Kenya H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Al-Abdulla
during a luncheon in his honour at Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi on November 16,
2016.◊
Foreignaffairske
Editor - Edwin Limo
Sub Editor - Jane Kariuki
Design & Layout - Kawira Githinji
Photography - Andrew Kuria
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Harambee Avenue
P.O. Box 30551—GPO 00100, Nairobi/Kenya
Tel: +254 20 4949 000, +254 20 331 8888
Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
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