President William Ruto has
lauded the diplomatic ties which exist between Kenya and Guinea Bissau.
Speaking when he hosted his Guinea Bissau counterpart Umaro Sissoco Embalo at State House, Ruto said the State visit speaks to the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
“We have just concluded highly productive bilateral discussions with my dear brother, during which we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening and advancing the excellent relations that exist between our countries,’’ Ruto said.
“Our engagements have been
marked by a spirit of mutual respect and a shared vision for prosperity and
development.”
Ruto said the state visit serves as a testament to the shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation through continuous engagement and mutual support between Kenya and Guinea Bissau.
Ruto said that in their deliberations, they reiterated the importance of continuous and open dialogue in addressing matters of mutual interest, intending to foster greater understanding and developing solutions that align with their respective aspirations.
“This approach will further solidify our bilateral ties and enhance collaboration across various sectors,’’ Ruto said.
He said the state visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore avenues for enhancing trade and investment between Kenya and Guinea-Bissau.
He said they acknowledge the immense potential that exists in leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to expand economic opportunities.
“Together, we are committed
to harnessing this potential to drive economic growth and sustainable
development for the benefit of our people,’’ Ruto said.
At the continental level, Ruto said they engaged
in discussions on critical issues of common interest.
He said that as the designated Champion for the African Union Institutional Reforms, he reaffirmed Kenya's steadfast commitment to advancing reforms within the African Union.
He said the reforms are essential to ensuring that the Union's institutions remain responsive, effective, and aligned with the evolving needs of our continent.
“I am committed to
collaborating closely with Guinea-Bissau and other partners to drive this reform
agenda and fulfil the mandate entrusted to me by the African leadership during
the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government,’’
Ruto said.
In the context of the forthcoming African Union Commission (AUC) elections, Ruto expressed his deep appreciation for Guinea-Bissau's endorsement of Kenya's candidate for the position of AUC Chairperson for the 2025-2028 term.
“Kenya's candidature is informed by our longstanding commitment to championing the Pan-African agenda and delivering on the continent's aspirations. I am confident that our candidate will provide visionary and results-driven leadership, prioritising the needs and aspirations of member states,’’ Ruto said.
On matters of peace and
security, the two leaders reaffirmed their
shared commitment to working together to promote peace and stability, not only
in Africa but also in other regions experiencing conflict and insecurity.
Ruto said Kenya greatly
appreciates Guinea-Bissau’s contributions to peacekeeping and security efforts
within the region, and we stand ready to collaborate in advancing sustainable
peace initiatives.
“In this regard, my brother and I expressed deep concern about the raging conflicts in Sudan and Eastern DRC and implore all parties to cease hostilities and forge a path to peaceful settlement of the issues,’’ Ruto said.
