Kenya and Burundi have signed seven agreements that are aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two East African nations.
The agreements were signed between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Burundian counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye at the Kisumu State Lodge, Kisumu County in Kenya.H.E Evariste Ndayishimiye arrived in the country today morning for his two-day official visit.
The cooperation agreements which were signed touched on agriculture, public service, foreign affairs, trade, sports, and culture. President Kenyatta said the two countries have agreed to strengthen and deepen their long-standing fraternal relations with the aim of fostering sustained socio-economic development.
Post-Covid-19 recovery plans
“The cooperation between our two countries is built on a solid foundation of shared values and principles; to foster sustained socio-economic development and transformation of our two countries, a vibrant and united East African Community, and an integrated and prosperous Africa,” said President Uhuru.
Uhuru also announced a resolution by Kenya and Burundi to prioritise education in their post-Covid-19 recovery plans, and that the two countries would back the 4th replenishment campaign of the Global Partnership Education (GPE), which aims to raise at least US $5 billion for investment in education.
The two leaders agreed to continue working together in advancing the African agenda on the global stage, and reiterated their countries commitment to the progress of the East African Community (EAC).
Kenya-Burundi bilateral ties
“On regional cooperation, we exchanged views on various development matters in the East African Community (EAC); and reaffirmed our commitment to continue working together in championing the EAC integration agenda and the African Union Agenda 2063. On international cooperation, we reiterated our commitment to continue working closely at the level of the United Nations (UN), with a view to advancing the Common African Agenda for Integration and Sustainable Development,” said H.E Uhuru.
As part of efforts to strengthen Kenya-Burundi bilateral ties, two leaders agreed to review the 2018 Joint Permanent Commission for a Cooperation agreement with a view of ensuring expeditious implementation of agreed-upon agreements.
“We are enjoying the ties between our two countries both in investments and trade. I recall the role Kenya played in peacekeeping in Burundi and the facilitation of trade through the port of Mombasa, and Kenyan investors already working in Burundi,” said President Ndayishimiye.
