President William Ruto engaged in a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening, focusing on trade relations, regional stability, and international security.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Ruto revealed that the discussions centered on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
He emphasized the need for continued US support for AGOA, a key framework that enhances trade relations between the United States and African nations.
Additionally, both leaders agreed on the importance of greater engagement from the US Department of Commerce in facilitating trade growth across the continent.
President Ruto also welcomed the recent appointment of Massad Boulos as the US Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region, calling it a strong demonstration of the US government’s commitment to Africa’s regional stability and peace efforts.
He expressed gratitude to former US President Donald Trump for the appointment, noting its significance in resolving ongoing conflicts.
The conversation also touched on the ongoing crisis in Haiti, where Secretary Rubio reaffirmed US support for Kenya’s leadership in stabilizing the country.
President Ruto acknowledged the Secretary’s backing in securing sustainable United Nations support for the Multi-National Security Support Mission in Haiti, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to fostering peace beyond the African continent.
Regarding regional security, Secretary Rubio commended Kenya’s leadership in efforts to resolve conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and South Sudan.
President Ruto provided an update on the recent Joint Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the DRC peace initiative.
He reiterated Kenya’s role in facilitating dialogue among Sudanese factions to restore civilian governance, as well as ongoing collaborations with partners such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to encourage peace talks.
On South Sudan, President Ruto briefed Secretary Rubio on the state of affairs, highlighting Kenya’s efforts to mediate between the government and opposition groups to de-escalate violence and recommit to peace negotiations.
Terrorism in Somalia was another critical point of discussion.
President Ruto underscored the need for Kenya and the United States to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorist threats, which pose a significant challenge to regional and global security.
The discussion reaffirmed Kenya’s growing diplomatic role in global security efforts and economic partnerships.
President Ruto’s engagement with the US leadership signals continued collaboration between the two nations in addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual interests.
