Algerian Foreign Minister's Nairobi visit aims to strengthen historic ties with Kenya amidst perceived regional shifts. Kenya emphasizes commitment to bolstering partnerships with Algeria across various sectors The visit coincides with Kenya's parliamentary approval of the ambassadorial nominee for Rabat, signaling diplomatic engagement with Morocco.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who hosted the Algerian minister noted that Algeria was Kenya's "valued partner" in several industries, including commerce, agriculture, educational collaboration, infrastructure, and energy.
“Kenya is committed to strengthening the bonds of friendship for the benefit of our people and the entire African continent,” Musalia Mudavadi stated.
A report by the East African showed that 16,000 metric tons of urea, a top-dressing fertilizer frequently used in the development of maize, wheat, and sugarcane, were supplied by Algeria in January. It was valued at $4.8 million.
In addition, Algeria provided about $100,000 to the divisive Kenyan Mission to Haiti, which is presently mired in legal disputes in Nairobi and political scheming by Congress in the US over funding.
However, the Cabinet secretary highlighted the trade disparity between both countries which saw the East African country export goods worth Ksh106 million to Algeria while buying products worth Ksh206 million from the North African country.
A Joint Economic Commission, a bilateral organization of the two countries, is expected to restart efforts to expand commercial prospects later in June, he added.
While this seemed like an important subject between both nations, this was hardly the reason the Algerian Minister visited. According to him, the visit had more of a political undertone than an economic one.
“My visit comes as you all know at a time when the world is undergoing profound and exhilarating changes and ever-increasing tensions, crises, and conflicts that continue to imply huge challenges both at international and regional levels. In such times of great uncertainties, we firmly believe in the vital importance of maintaining close contact,” Ahmed Attaf stated.
Algeria and Morocco have effectively closed their borders to each other, resulting in a lack of diplomatic communication. This occurred as Kenya intensified its endeavors to foster ties with Morocco. Attaf's visit coincided with parliament's scrutiny of the initial nominee for ambassador to Rabat, Jessica Gakinya, who is expected to assume her duties by June.
“In addition, Kenya’s embassy in Algiers which is usually accredited to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) will no longer do so in recent changes to Nairobi’s stance. That is important because Morocco claims the territory controlled by SADR which is incidentally run by a government exiled in refugee camps in Algeria,” the report by the East African reads.
The Kenyan government, Since President Ruto took office has experimented with the idea of dissolving relationships with Sahrawi, despite claims from authorities that this has no impact on relations with Algeria, one of the main supporters of the SADR.
