British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met his Kenyan counterpart Monica Juma on Wednesday to sign a five-year Defence Cooperation Agreement. Juma is accompanying Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on his three-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK), which will conclude on Friday.
According to the UK government’s press release, “The agreement will enable the two countries to enhance coordination in their joint efforts to improve regional security in East Africa, including the fight against Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab.”
The release said this would enhance the existing cooperation between the two countries that aims to counter the influence of Al-Shabaab through training and strengthening. The pact paves the way for Kenyan and British forces to share information and identify new ways to curb the group’s growth by cutting off financial resources and depriving them of recruits by targeting extremism and radicalism. “The new DCA will provide a basis for the exchange of military personnel for defence activity, allowing for enhanced training opportunities and increased collaboration in peace support work,” the release added.
As a part of the deal, both sides also discussed increasing protection for tourists along the coast, expanding anti-radicalism programmes, appointing a maritime security officer, and assisting the Kenyan anti-terrorism court.
Over the years, the two countries have continually bolstered their diplomatic partnership, specifically in the area of defence and security. Each year, as part of the British African Union Mission in Somalia, the UK trains over 1,100 Kenyan soldiers to fight against Al-Shabaab. The armed forces also conduct five joint training drills every year, which see the participation of 750 Kenyan troops and 5,000 British soldiers.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Kenyatta hosted the Global Education Summit on Wednesday. The duo planted a tree to mark their combined vision of enhancing the long-standing partnership between the UK and Kenya. The leaders also witnessed the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between TheCityUK and the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority that aims to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions. As a result of this agreement, the two countries will see greater trade and investment opportunities.
Moreover, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced £132 million worth of new investments for Kenya. Raab said these investments would include “building new green affordable homes, connecting households to clean energy, and boosting manufacturing” in Kenya. He added, “This package of investments will create new jobs and unlock new opportunities for the UK and Kenyan businesses by strengthening the relationship between Nairobi and the City of London.”
The UK also vowed to supply 817,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to Kenya through the COVAX programme. While enhancing people-to-people relations, the UK offered Kenyan nurses and health workers entry into the British job market as a part of a scheme announced on Thursday. In addition, Kenyatta’s meeting with the British leaders included discussions on bolstering investment and trade ties and collaborating to fight climate change.
UK, Kenya Sign Defence Cooperation Pact Aimed at Countering Al-Shabaab
British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his Kenyan counterpart, Monica Juma, signed a deal to bolster the UK’s counterterrorism and military support to Kenya.
July 30, 2021
SOURCE: CGTN