Diplomacy News Republic of Kenya A Publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issue No. 004 November 18, 2016 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 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. enya has embarked on a serious lobby exercise in support of Amb. Amina Mohamed who has been “President Deby has had discussions with President Knominated to vie for African Union Commission Chair. Kenyatta over this matter and we hope that one of the two candidates will be elected the chairperson of African Union In a hold no barred move that targets to reach all the 53 Commission in January,” said Ruto. voting members of the African Union, President Kenyatta has dispatched Special Envoys led by his Deputy President William President Deby acknowledged that he had two candidates Ruto to his colleagues across the continent. saying they both had the experience and knowledge to steer the Secretariat. Early last week Ruto led a delegation to Chad and met President Idriss Deby Itno. “We do not want someone who will take instructions from outside Africa. Whoever will be elected must drive the The lobbying that targeted northern, central and western African agenda and push for reforms within the United Africa started off in N’Djamena, then Ghana, Cote d’voire, Nations,” said President Deby. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Algeria, Mali, Nigeria and DRC. Other countries covered to date include Egypt, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ruto said Amb. Amina was best suited to take over from Zambia, Namibia, Angola Mauritania, Tunisia, Lesotho, outgoing Chair, Madam Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, since Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Guinea, Gabon, Niger and she seats in the executive council of Africa Agenda 2063 Burundi. and understands where Africa should be. Accompanied by the Candidate, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Other candidates competing for the AUC Chair with Amb. Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed, Ruto said Kenya believes its Mohamed include Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi (Botswana), candidate has what it takes in terms of experience and Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chad), Abdoulaye Bathily (Senegal) knowledge to drive the African agenda forward. and Agapito Mba Mokuy (Equatorial Guinea). The DP presented a special message from President Uhuru Mr. Ruto vouched for the integration of the African Kenyatta to President Idriss Deby, and expressed confidence countries saying Africans should fast track the integration the Chadian President would consider supporting Kenya of the continent to create a huge market that can compete although he has a candidate for the same position. Chad has favourably with other international markets in trade and investment. ◊ EAC Endorses Amb. Amina’s AUC Candidature……………………….. 2 MFA Staff to Learn Chinese Language …………………………... 3 Qatari Ambassador to Kenya Concludes Tour of Duty ……………… 2 Kenya, Canada in Strategic Partnership ……………………… … 4 Kenya Participates in Havana Fair ……………………………………….. 3 UK, US envoys urge Kenya to reconsider UNMISS Decision ...…… 4 EAC Endorses Amb. Amina’s AUC Candidature By Sarah Mwangi ministers received and welcomed The ministers directed the EAC secretariat to officially convey this the progress made on the ongoing mobilisation of support for the decision to all African Regional candidature by the republic of Economic Communities (RECS) to Kenya which has already covered a solicit their support. ast African Community (EAC) half of African Countries. The AUC elections are scheduled for Ministers for Foreign Affairs th E In a joint communiqué signed by January 2017 at the 28 Assembly of have reiterated their endorsement of Talha Mohamed (Tanzania), Sam the African Union Heads of State and the candidature of Amb. Amina government at Addis Ababa. Mohamed as chairperson of the Kutesa (Uganda), Otis Aimable African Union Commission (AUC). (Burundi), Louise Mushikiwabo In attendance at the EAC Ministers’ (Rwanda) and Phyllis Kandie meeting were Education Cabinet In an extra-ordinary meeting of the (Kenya), the ministers collectively Secretary Fred Matiangi, Principal EAC Sectoral Council on Foreign agreed to campaign and lobby other Secretaries, Ambassadors and High Policy coordination held on November African Union countries for their Commissioners of the EAC partner 12, 2016 at a Nairobi hotel, the support. states. Qatari Ambassador to Kenya Concludes Tour of Duty By Andrew Kuria he tour of duty of Ambassador of Tthe 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 Intercon- tinental 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 con- ful State visit by President Kenyatta to Editors Note clude various agreements and memo- Qatar in 2014 and the increase of randum of understanding that are still Kenya expatriates working in Qatar. This is the fourth issue of Diplomacy pending. News. She wished him well in his fu- "Cooperation in such sectors as energy, ture endeavors. mining and labor have potential to The Editor welcomes feedback, suggestions, short analysis for greatly improve trade between two Kenya and Qatar started diplomatic countries," She said. relations in 2003 and the two nations consideration and publishing in have maintained good relations. future issues of the newsletter.◊ Amb. Mohamed thanked H.E Al Abdulla for the good work during his Present were Head of Directorates and Edwin Limo tour of duty singling out the success- Ambassadors from the Arab League.◊ Kenya Participates in Havana Fair By Amb. Antony Muchiri enya participated in the 34th edition of the International Fair of Havana K(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 Kenyan delegation during the 34th edition of the International Fair of Havana held on November 4, 2016. operations and exchange experiences in Cuba's newly evolving market. ◊ MFA Staff to Learn Chinese Language By Wambui Kigathi and Kawira Githinji n a deliberate effort to develop necessary skills among officers Ifor 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 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 Confu- language course for Foreign Service cius Institute at Nairobi University on November 4, 2016. Officers (FSOs) at the Confucius Institute, University of Nairobi on November 4, 2016, Cabinet Secretary The course which takes three months Amb. Mohamed recognised the role Amina Mohamed in a speech read on will expose participants to elementary played by FSA as the bedrock to equip her behalf by Amb. Ben Ogutu, said skills in Chinese Language and the Ministry staff with requisite that Kenya is expanding its thereafter sharpen those skills further knowledge, skills and competencies for engagements with new and emerging by partnering with the Chinese effective diplomatic engagement that economic powers and in various areas. Foreign Affairs University in Beijing resonates with practice in the for a six months course international arena. ‘As we live in multilingual and multicultural world, training in The launch was attended by Amb. Lui languages helps diplomats to learn “As a Ministry Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, speedily,” the CS said adding that as a we are exposed to University of Nairobi acting Vice ministry and international relations different languages, Chancellor Prof. Paul Mbithi and the practitioners, we are exposed to Director of the Confucius Institute different languages, cultures and cultures and traditions.” Prof. Guo Hong, Director FSA Amb. traditions of people from all over the Simon Nabukwesi among others ◊ world. 3 Kenya, Canada in Strategic Partnership Secretary Amb. Monica Juma on No- vember 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. Canada through the Aga Khan Development Network supports a number of regional and country`s specific projects in health, education, Principal Secretary Amb. Monica Juma with Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion and early childhood, development and High Commissioner of Canada to Kenya Sara Suzan Hradecky, during a courtesy call at her civil society with a portfolio in Kenya office on November 10, 2016 of US$122million (Ksh 12.2billion). Amb. Juma appealed to the Canadian By Wambui Kigathi and Wendy Getugi senior level consultations. Government to consider offering training and scholarships to Kenyans The commission will focus on develop- to study in Canada. ment agenda including; peace and enya and Canada are set to security, education, environmental Mr.