The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan received President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, at State House this morning. The two leaders discussed state affairs in a tête-à-tête meeting before joining a bilateral meeting, which was also attended by Vice-President Ahmed Afif, Ministers, and other high officials from the Kenyan and Seychellois delegations.
The discussions centered on how Seychelles and Kenya can further enhance their bilateral cooperation and agreements on matters of tourism, maritime and security, capacity building in various sectors, health, agriculture, sports, economic progress, and trade as well investment. The two leaders reciprocate the importance to beef up their bilateral cooperation into concrete action.
Following the meeting, the Heads of State witnessed the signing of ten cooperation agreements between the Government of Seychelles and the Republic of Kenya. The Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, and the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, SC EGH signed the agreements concerning Defence, mutual assistance on criminal matters, Blue Economy, Memorandum of Understanding for peace, security and law enforcement at sea, maritime affairs, tourism development, agriculture, livestock and cooperative sectors, security and crime combatting, sports, promotion on partnership on gender equality and promoting women economic empowerment.
President Ramkalawan and President Kenyatta then addressed the media, to expound on the progress of their exchanges and express their satisfaction concerning the relations between the two countries.
In his press statement, President Ramkalawan said, “Our meeting in Seychelles testifies to the importance we place on the relationship between our two countries. It is an opportunity to give a new impetus to the Seychelles-Kenya relations. President Kenyatta and I had excellent discussions this morning. First of all, we reminded ourselves of the bonds of history and personal friendship that unite our two peoples. Seychellois and Kenyans have known each other like forever”
“We reaffirmed the longstanding, multifaceted partnership between Seychelles and Kenya. Kenya and Seychelles had substantial bilateral cooperation in fields such as education, health, trade, agriculture, civil aviation, as well as strong people-to-people ties even before the establishment of diplomatic relations on 10 January 1990. Today we are strengthening these and many more»
Mr. Ramkalawan expressed Seychelles’ gratitude for the assistance provided by the 50 Kenyan health care workers who were recruited by the Ministry of Health in March 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, for the contribution of 65 Kenyan teachers to the education system as well as for the work done by Kenyan land surveyors.
The President said that he has also expressed his wish for Kenya to consider establishing an Honorary Consulate in Seychelles.
“An Honorary Consulate will provide consular assistance to Kenyan nationals residing in Seychelles, as well as Kenyans visiting our country. It is to be noted that there are presently 846 Kenyan nationals living and working in Seychelles,” said President Ramkalawan.
In the international arena, President Ramkalawan underlined the will for both countries to mutually enhance their cooperation arena on issues related to climate change and the development of a Vulnerability Index that will properly reflect the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States like Seychelles. The two leaders also shared concerns about the current Russia–Ukraine situation.
In his statement to the press, President Kenyatta expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality that he and his delegation has received. He underlined that his government looks forward to furthering the historic diplomatic and cordial relations that exist with Seychelles.
“Let me say that Kenya and Seychelles have enjoyed historical cordial diplomatic relations that have existed since our countries became independent, and this is evident in the multiple fields of cooperation that the two nations have and continue to engage in,” said President Kenyatta.
Mr. Kenyatta said that the signing of this agreement today paves the way for both countries to also explore new grounds for their diplomatic and social-economic engagement in pursuit of our shared interest.
“My Dear Brother and I believe that Africa has the potential and the know-how to forge a better future for its people, especially the youths. That is why Seychelles and Kenya are employing a multi-faceted approach to maximize on our potentials as well as address challenges facing our citizens. I would also like to commend the Joint Cooperation Committee that put down all the agreements we have signed and the outline of avenues we can explore now and in the future, where our countries can fully maximize and move together as we seek to further strengthen our existing ties,” said President Kenyatta.
Following the meeting at State House, President Kenyatta and his delegation host President Wavel Ramkalawan for a luncheon onboard Kenyan Vessel KNS Jasiri currently in Port Victoria.
For the full remarks made by President Ramkalawan see: https://www.statehouse.gov.sc/speeches/5599/joint-press-conference-on-the-occasion-of-the-state-visit-of-he-president-uhuru-kenyatta-to-seychelles-remarks-by-president-wavel-ramkalawan
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