By John Ikani
Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced seven new bilateral agreements signed between the country and Zimbabwe, following talks with visiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa visited Kenyatta at the State House in Nairobi on Wednesday March 9th, 2022.
The bilateral agreements were signed in the fields of political and diplomatic consultations, tourism and wildlife conservation, civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents investigations, promotion of women empowerment and community development, youth affairs, cooperatives and sport and recreation.
Addressing a press conference after a closed door tete-a-tete with his counterpart, Kenyatta said the bilateral agreements will enable Kenya and Zimbabwe to cooperate in addressing challenges facing them particularly youth unemployment.
He pointed out that the signing of the agreement on women empowerment was particularly since it was entered into, a day after yesterday’s International Women’s Day national celebrations during which Kenya re-dedicated herself to the attainment of her ambitions gender goals.
“This MoU will go a long way in realizing this important development agenda. It seeks to promote a closer working relationship between our two countries in achieving the shared vision of women empowerment and community development, and also facilitate the sharing of knowledge, strategies and technology for our women,” President Kenyatta said.
The President noted that his Zimbabwean counterpart’s visit had not only renewed the two nations friendship and brotherly ties but also re-invigorated the strong historical relations that exists between the African states.
On multilateral cooperation, President Kenyatta congratulated Zimbabwe on its recent election into the African Union Peace and Security Council, and assured President Mnangagwa of Kenya’s strong backing during his country’s two-year tenure.
President Kenyatta also tasked the international community on lifting many crippling economic sanctions that were imposed on the Southern Africa country under late President Robert Mugabe, stressing that the restrictions were hurting the Southern Africa nation.
Recall that some EU countries, the United Kingdom and the United States of America imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe back in 2002 after Mugabe allegedly rigged a presidential election.
Kenyatta termed the sanctions as illegal, and assured Zimbabwe of Kenya’s continued advocacy to ensure that the restrictions are lifted.
Also speaking to newsmen after the meeting, President Mnangagwa said the visit aims to improve the lives of peoples of the two republics.
“My visit to Kenya is aimed at consolidating our relations by refocusing our co-operation through increasing bilateral trade, investment in tourism, transport, science, technology and innovation among other aspects such as defence and security matters.
“This consolidation of relations is necessary, especially in the face of the growing threat of terrorism on our continent, in particular in North and West Africa as well as Mozambique.
“We also discussed other regional, continental and international issues of mutual interests and concern to the two republics,” he said.
President Mnangagwa reiterated his Kenyan counterparts call on the international community to lift sanctions placed upon his country terming the restrictions as unilateral.
